I AM OFFICIALLY AN IRON MOM NOW

I am officially an Iron Mom now instead of a future Iron Mom!! I completed my very 1st 1/2 marathon in about 3 hrs and 40 minutes at the age of 45 but in 6 days will be 46. I am the mother of 4 with a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law and am raising my 2 grandsons. I believe all of that together along with completing the Iron Mom 1/2 Marathon constitutes me the right to say, "I am an IRON MOM!"

I still am in shock that I did complete it as a severe thunderstorm decided to approach us during the race. I did the last 3.5 to 4 miles in the pouring down rain with lots of lightning. For those of you that know I can get emotional at times YES, I did cry when I crossed the finish line but not because I was hurting but because I crossed the finish line. I also ran the last block and a half to finish.

I already have a new goal since I accomplished this one because goals help mold you. I do want to do another one but my goal is to have my husband participate with me in the next one.

Thanks to EVERYONE for the Love and Support to help me through this. If only all of you knew actually how important this was to me. I didn't let this last year of health issues get in my way and that was really important. I had 2 HUGE diagnosis' in the past year that I have had to come to terms with. The 1st one being that my heart is backwards. I have a "Right Sided Aortic Arch" and it occurs in less than 1% of the population and I obviously was born with it but had never been ill so it had not been caught. Most infants do not live with this diagnosis however, the ones that do are usually found or caught after the age of 40. That being me at the age of 45. Then less than 3 months after I found that out what I thought was maybe "carpal tunnel" in my right hand was Rheumatoid Arthritis. My counts were severely high and had not had any symptoms until all of the sudden. Months of medication that worked somewhat but not really caused increased frustration, sadness, huge amounts of pain, loss of sleep just kept haunting me more and more as I had never been sick as a child or an adult. There would be weeks where I would have to have Paul help me get dressed and undressed. I couldn't do simple things like turn a door knob, open a soda bottle, button or zip. I was in a down spiral. Finally, the insurance allowed me to be put on a new medication that costs $20,000 a year (Humara) and instantly the pain decreased. The problem was I still couldn't sleep. My confidence had completely went down hill which has taken me over 20 years to build to where I was at. So I read a news article one day on "West Kentucky Star" online about a 1/2 marathon called the Iron Mom. I right away liked the sound of it and thought you know that would be perfect for me to strive to achieve. I had thought about the previous year doing a 1/2 marathon but convinced myself there was no way I could do it. I was too old, too fat, too out of shape, etc. So I thought with the name that it had I could call myself the "Future Iron Mom". So now from my blog as you can see is now history because I achieved that goal.

I want everyone to know how important it is to not let people, events, illness, things (materially or mentally) to get you down to where you cannot rise. Everyone is worth something and it is your job to let others know that you know you are worth something!! Set goals that are achievable but not too easy and strive to reach those goals because setting them and achieving them makes yourself know that you have lots of worth and you will be an inspiration to others while you are helping yourself.

I do have a secret to tell. I called my husband less than a mile into the race and was crying and wanted to quit!! Yep, not even a mile into the race. There was over 750 people at this race and when they said "GO" everyone took off. They took off at a pace that I don't like to take off at. However, I tried to do what everyone else was doing and it didn't help whatsoever. It made me miserable. I hurt and I knew I couldn't keep up. I had a game plan and did not want to detour from that. The problem was I also did not want to be last. So it was all conflicting because I was trying to be like everyone else. Paul calmed me down on the phone and said "Stick to your game plan". You know what you can do and what you can't. You want to finish don't you so quit trying to do what everyone else was doing. I listened to him and I was the actual very last person for the 1st 4.5 miles. I could hear the running of the vehicle behind me bringing up the rear and I kept thinking, "Oh I bet they are wishing I would just quit." Well, I kept my same pace and eventually passed 3 people and got a 1/4 to 1/2 mile distance between us. Sticking to my game plan help me achieve success because I did my best to keep my own pace except during the STUPID storm and I was successful in my own eyes because I did cross the finish line.

So if anyone gets anything out of my traveled road to being an Iron Mom I'm kind of hoping that it would be to NEVER GIVE UP and to be yourself not what others want!! It took me a very long time to do both of these. If something gets in your way and begins to bring you down set a goal to you can achieve it to bring you back up.

Love to all my family and friends! Thanks for everything!!

THE DAY HAS ARRIVED!!

I think I have passed the nervous stage now and am at the EXCITED stage! It is official I picked up my race packet tonight in Paducah. My official race number is 337. I get to wear what they call a bib with it's own special timer in it. The funniest part about my packet was my label on the outside said I wore a "WS" which would be a woman's small.....I told them not since about 4th grade and my age was "31".....I told them that would make me a pretty young grandma and I might like to be "31" again! I believe I ended their day in a very humerus way and definitely was a great way to end already a good day for me.

I have really good feelings about my adventure as a "Future Iron Mom". If tomorrow is anything like today it will be ON tomorrow. I will have my alarm set for 4am. I would like to be there no later than 5:30am and the opening with the National Anthem is at 6:20am with the race beginning at 6:30am. The course closes officially at 10:30am however, my goal is to be done by 9:30am when the awards ceremony starts.

My Walkman is charging and my 80's playlist is ready for the adventure tomorrow. I will have my phone attached to me as well. The funny part being I wasn't going to have it but Paul is insisting on me having it because he wants to be able to check on me....LOL Much to everyone's surprise the one thing I am not taking with me on my adventure is my "camera". Don't fret however I will be turning over the operation rights temporarily to Paul expecting him to get some good pics on my camera.

Let me say THANKS to all my family and friends for all of the positive support I have received in my adventure. I guarantee you I would have not been able to do this on my own! I do have strong thoughts and a very strong will but EVERYONE has their weak moments and I have recently had mine. This is what this race is all about for me is overpowering my weaknesses. I am going to do that tomorrow no matter where or how I finish and I WILL FINISH!

Again my simple goals for tomorrow are:
1) Show up for the race
2) Finish the race
3) Finish the race in 3 hours or less
4) NOT TO BE LAST

"Goals are not only absolutely necesary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive." Robert H. Schuller

"For me, goals are my road map to the life I want. They have helped me accomplish things I once thought were impossible." Catherine Pulsifer, from Wings of Wisdom

"Choosing a goal and sticking to it changes everything." Scott Reed

"You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential." Steve Garvey

"Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people's criticisms, carry out your plan." Paul Meyer

"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score." Bill Copeland

I can't wait to see that finish line and to be able to say "I DID IT!"

Most people know that I am straight forward as they come. I encourage people to be that way also. One thing I learned a long time ago was I needed to be myself no matter what others wanted me to be. I have come a LONG way in the last 25 years of trying to live that lesson I learned. One of the ways to do that is to surround yourself with ENCOURAGING people. If you feel yourself trying to be something different take a good look at yourself and figure out why YOU are unhappy with yourself. Once you come to terms with that then others won't try to make you something you are not!

I found this cute wall plaque at a yard sale a couple weeks ago and I believe it says it all. It took to my office to share with my co-workers and my student workers because I believe it states the truth. It goes something like this "In this free world, be what you can be, BE YOURSELF!"

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves. ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. ~Harvey Fierstein

With all of that said, I'm headed to bed to TRY and rest and overcome the excitement of my new adventure tomorrow. Remember what I have said and take heart to it.


"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." ~~Stevie Wonder

"People who have done big things are those who were not afraid to attempt big things, who were not afraid to risk failure in order to gain success." -- B. C. Forbes

I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time. Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

Since I am not giving up I will experience success tomorrow in more than one way and failure will pass on by!!

SO CLOSE!

It is SO CLOSE!!

I'm a little more excited as the day approaches. Tonight I took advantage of free time while the boys were at VBS. I walked 4 miles in 72 minutes. I did the first 2 miles in 33 minutes and the 2nd 2 miles in 39 minutes. That was walking by myself with only my music. I'm thinking that is pretty good without an adrenaline rush and no one else to walk with and it was 85 degrees. I felt good when I got done to top it off. If I can come close to that pace on Saturday I'm thinking that I can come close to finishing the 1/2 marathon in 3 hours which is one of my new goals.

I am so grateful to have so many family and friends that are supporting me through this!! The next 2 days I am focusing on hydration and getting plenty of water in me so I can sweat it all away on Saturday in the 95+ degree weather.

SCARED/NERVOUS/UNSURE

The title completely describes how I'm feeling at the moment. The final week leading up to the 1/2 marathon. I am completely unsure about myself and whether I can do this 1/2 marathon. I'm scared to death that I'm going to make a fool of myself and not even make it a few miles let alone the whole 13 miles. I'm also nervous about the whole venture in general. I want all of my "positive" feelings to overwhelm me this week.

My life has always had stumbling blocks especially when it comes to important things or events. Due to the flooding the 1/2 marathon got postponed. I had mixed feelings because I was excited but then thought maybe an extra month would be good. During all of this my youngest graduated from Murray State University and got married all within 7 days. So I got off track with working out then I haven't felt up to par over the last month either. I'm going to contribute some of that to the weather changes. Stumbling blocks are never easy to conquer but I'm determined to not let these stand in my way. So this week not only do I continue to physically prepare but I'm trying to mentally prepare for my big event on Saturday.

The organizers have decided to start the 1/2 marathon 1 hour earlier than originally scheduled in May which is 6:30am because of the heat. I think this will really help because the race has a 4 hour time limit which means everyone has to be done by 10:30am.

My goals for the race on Saturday are short and sweet.
1) To actually participate
2) To complete the course
3) To finish within the 4 hour time limit
4) To not be last

My extra goals:
** That I am done in 3 hours when they have the awards ceremony.
** That I make my family proud.
** That I am glad that I participated after finishing.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers this week as I finalize my preparations to overcome more than just a race at the end of this week.

EXCITED

Well, first I am totally excited because I made it official today. I am an official participant of the Paducah Iron Mom 1/2 Marathon on Mother's Day weekend. There is no backing out now. I put my money down and I DON"T waste money!!

I hit the road again tonight but this time with 2 cute guardsman. Leonard and Ulysses rode their bicycles along side of me while I walked. So it was a different path tonight with different hills. I couldn't be on the major highway, Kirksey Hwy! Which you would think was an interstate down here as fast as people drive on that road. So we hit the back roads where they could zig zag and do circles around me while I walked. We mileaged it out afterward and from our driveway to our turnaround location was 2.2 miles. We did that in 43 minutes and managed to do the 2nd half home in the exact same amount of time. Nobody can say that I'm not consistent. So tonight I got in 4.4 miles in 86 minutes or 1 hour 26 minutes. I didn't think that was to bad with 2 tag alongs.

My daughter has been doing this count down because she thinks there are some important events in her life coming up. So I have decided to add on to her countdown now. Today her status on Facebook was:
A) 30 days from today I will be walking across a stage to get my fake diploma and in 37 days I will be saying "I do" and become Mrs. Brad Wyatt. So I will add to her countdown: B) in 23 days her mom, Rhonda, will change from a "Future Iron Mom" to a full fledge "Iron Mom". I hope my heart can take 3 crazy weekends in a row in May.

The boys and I had a conversation in the van while we were mileaging off the route we walked. They were asking about the race. So I told them it was 13 miles. I said it would be like me leaving home and walking to work. I believe it is right at 13 miles from my driveway to my office. They said, "Can we walk to school one day?" "Uh, don't think so." Then I tried to explain to them especially Leonard that I was not entering this race to win at least not to win against the other people in the race. He is really caught up into the winning so much that he will change the rules in the middle of the game so it makes him win. So we have frequent discussions about it isn't all about the winning. So I tried to explain to them that I was going there for me and no one else. That I only had to win myself and that I was setting only 2 goals for myself that day.
1) I will finish in the 4 hour alotted time limit ~ whether I walk the whole way or am able to run part of it. AND
2) I will not be the last person to cross the finish line.
I told them I am pretty convinced that those are both very attainable goals and do not think I will be disappointed at all that day. I explained to them how so many things have happened in the last few years.
A) My son growing up and moving out and getting married
B) My daughter growing up, graduating from college, moving out, and now getting married.
C) The boys coming to live with us on a short notice that was not in any of ours plans except for God's plan. Which we have discussed numerous times.
D) Me turning 45
E) Me being overweight
F) Me finding out numerous health diagnosis' in one year and I had never been sick before not even the flu. I found out last year my heart was wired backwards and was born with it. Because I had never been sick it had never been caught. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and it hit me like a bombshell and the medicine worked but not like it should. There were days when Paul would have to help me get dressed because I just wasn't able. This sent me into being depressed, not being able to sleep. I had the acutal FLU for the very first time in my life. I had some back problems that lingered for months. And now today I find out I have a small tear in my rotator cuff area that has caused me some serious pain at times and the Rheumatoid makes it worse.
So I told the boys that this race was about all the changes I have had to deal with in the last few years and not done a very good job dealing with them. I need to get my confidence back that I had worked many years at attaining because it is not something I have always possessed. I did not want to go back to where I had been. This is a HUGE fear of mine. So I explained to them that this race was for ME.
To make me feel better.
To make me proud of myself.
To make me more healthy.
To help me gain more confidence.
To make me more happy.
To help me defeat all of the negatives and to show to the boys it isn't all about winning and beating other people at games and races.

For my family and my friends that have known me for years they know where I come from and how I used to be and how weak of a person I was. Because of some very bad (incidences) for a lack of a better word I am who I am today and very thankful of who I am and for my 2 children that I raised and truly adore to this very day. I feel like I am going through another one of those (incidences) but on a much smaller scale and more with things that are completely out of my control such as the diagnosis'. Where 20 years ago I had the ability to take control and make something of it.

With that all said I believe that this is what this 1/2 marathon is for me. Everyone that knows me knows I like control. If I train for this marathon and I reach my goals and conquer it I feel like I have taken back over control of my life at least health wise, attitude wise, and spiritual wise and then all the other physical stuff such as my kids growing up and becoming adults and Paul and I taking on the huge responsibility of raising our grandchildren will all fall into place.

My positive healthy endorphins will suffocate out all those negative unhealthy endorphins that make me feel like crap in the mornings sometimes. I worked in health care for over 10 years and I have seen this attitude work.

I'm thinking today my Stevie Wonder quote is appropriate.
"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." ~~Stevie Wonder

CRAZY

Something different happened to me yesterday. I have been down for several weeks. I have been tired not feeling quite up to par. Work has been picking up gearing up with pre-registration and I have been busy with Whitney's wedding fastly approaching. I try very hard to live by certain standards and by that I mean trying very hard not being mean to people intentionally. I try very hard to make a difference in people's lives even if it is in a small way. I love seeing others smile especially if they are having a bad day. Well, I had the tables turned yesterday and the people that did had NO idea what they had done. Alot of times what I do is very unintentional because it has become a way of life for me and I believe this is the case in these 2 individuals lives also. At the time that I ran into them completely different times of the day I wasn't even aware of what they had done. But my attitude changed. The way I was thinking changed. The way I felt about myself changed. My plans for after work changed. All I can say is CRAZY!! Very strange for me to be in this place!! I emailed both of these young ladies today to let them be aware of what they had done because I think it is important to let people know the difference they are making in other's lives! I'm feeling a little weepy as I write this because these two ladies are very important people to me and have always been but became more special to me yesterday. The strange thing is I still can't put my finger on the exact thing they did. I know it sounds weird. But if it ever happens to you I guarantee you will know what I'm talking about.
Anyway, I left work drove straight home and changed into my workout clothes. I put my music in my ears and I hit the pavement. Mind you I had been scared to death to do my workout outside. To this point I had not left the treadmill so this was one accomplishment in itself. The next being I managed to walk 7.8 miles in 148 minutes which is 2 1/2 hours. My driveway to the end of Kirksey Hwy (Marshall County end) is 3.9 miles. That split was 74 minutes and my 2nd split happen to be exactly the same. In that 3.9 miles is 4 treacherous hills that I did not stop once. Yes, I was sore and was hurting when I finished. But let me tell you how good I felt. I felt COMPLETELY AWESOME!! I'm walking today and yeah I'm a little sore but not bad. That was all walking no running in that time and I forgot to take water with me so that was a dry walk. So for a 45 year old who has some issues I didn't think that was bad at all. I am going to take credit for it but I am sharing the credit with my 2 friends from yesterday whom I believe was the "difference" in things for me. I could never say thank you enough to get me over the hump because I was a little worried with myself. I potray alot confidence to alot of people but ones that REALLY know me know that is lacking at times for me. This is one of the reasons why this 1/2 marathon is so important to ME.
To end my walk I had an 8 year old waiting at my bushes which is as far as he is allowed to go. He stated, "Grandma, I was worried someone was going to kidnap you." That ended almost a "perfect" walk.

So once again I will end with one of my favorite quotes which I believe is very applicable to my day.

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time." Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)

Thanks to all for the love and support!
The Iron Mom 1/2 Marathon will be here before you know it!!

One Surprise After Another

Each day as I continue my quest on this new adventure I find myself discovering one surprise after another. This quest, the Iron Mom 1/2 Marathon in Paducah on Mother's Day weekend, has truly shown me things of myself that I wasn't completely aware of. One thing it has shown me is that I, myself, can do what I set my mind to. I have to believe in myself no matter the obstacles. This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes.

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time." Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)

As I train myself for this 1/2 marathon I have found this quote to be true of myself in more ways than one. This training is effecting in other parts of my life physically, mentally, & socially and all in a positive way. Who ever dreamed such a small decision could make such a difference in so many directions. But I think I'm liking it!! As I continue I hope I can get out of bed in the morning after my hour of Zumba tonight which thouroughly enojoyed but totally kicked my butt. It made muscles hurt that I didn't know I had. The best part about it was that I never felt uncomfortable while doing it. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. Until next time:

"People may not remember exactly what you did or what you said"
=But=
"They will always remember how you made them feel." (unknown)

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day today. It was chilly but the sun was shining bright and the sunset was awesome! I was ready to hit my workout tonight. It went pretty well. My endurance seems to be improving as I seem to be able to hold the speed longer throughout. I managed to do 3.05 miles in 60.06 minutes and burned 293 calories doing it. My blood pressure and heart rate afterwards was still great as it was 122/45 and 98. Tomorrow I won't be doing any walking as I will be experiencing my first time at Zumba. Hopefully I will be able to drive home after my intense hour workout. I'm excited to add something new. I'm going to try and workout every day this week. I will have to wait and see how I feel on Wednesday after the Zumba but hoping I can at least get some walking in. Got to get to bed so I can get rest for that Zumba tomorrow.

New Week ~ Looking Forward

I'm looking forward to the new week. New plans for my workouts. I'm going to add some extras. I'm going to do some outside and I'm going to join some friends doing Zumba a couple times a week on top of my work outs. Hopefully it will add to my endurance levels. Tonight was fair with a few interruptions. I was able to get 2.54 miles in 52 minutes and 14 seconds and burn 247 calories. My blood pressure and heart were great afterwards @ 123/77 & 87. I was able to run more tonight in my workout which I liked. I hated having to stop before I was really ready but nature was calling at the most inconvenient time I decided it was the perfect stopping time. Again the exercise has made me feel better physically as in I'm sleeping better and I feel better about myself. Thanks to everyone for the positive thoughts and comments.

WOW! What a workout!

I was ready to workout tonight. I was excited how well I did last night. I thought I could push it a little more tonight. Why not? So I managed to burn 300 calories as I walked 3.15 miles in 60 minutes & 10 seconds. My blood pressure & heart rate afterwards not bad at all, 111/75 & 89. I think this workout thing is agreeing with me at the moment anyway. I got to thinking once I got done. 1/2 marathon is 13.1 miles and if I can do 3 miles in 60 minutes that mean if I could keep the same pace today and participate tomorrow 12 miles in 4 hours would be close. I would have to make up 1.1 miles. My thought behind all of this is that I still have 6 weeks of workout before the race meaning my goal is definitely very reachable! That gets me even more excited!

Paul made the mistake tonight on the way home from Paducah during a discussion saying to me "if you do that marathon in"..... I had to stop him. I don't even remember what the conversation was about only because he used the word "IF". I told him to re-word to "when" I do the marathon.... He did change the sentence. Again don't remember what it was about. Still have doubt on this side of the block that I can't do it. hmmmmm....... Hopefully this weekend I will become an officially registered participant.

BEEN AWHILE

I was down for a few days thanks to not taking my medicine correctly so that meant not being able to workout. Nothing like frustration but at least it is in the beginning of my process instead of the end and I should know better anyway. Hopefully I am back on track now and am feeling better than before actually. I was going to add a little to my workout this week as I was going to start Zumba with Whitney yesterday but decided to delay it a week since I was still down yesterday.

The good news for my workout today is that I decided to focus a little more on time than distance and decided to shoot for 45 minutes at the pace I was used to before I got sick. Believe it or not it worked. I actually didn't really get tired or even break a sweat until well into the workout more on the down hill swing. Which makes me wonder if I shouldn't push a little harder. When I got to 45 minutes I wasn't ready to quit so I decided I would shoot for 60. Now the last 10 minutes I had to push myself at the same time reminding myself I hadn't done the first workout in more than 4 days. I managed to workout for 60.09 minutes, went 2.72 miles, burned 271 calories. My blood pressure and heart rate afterwards was awesome. It was 109/70 and 93. I wish it was always that good. I'm thinking I should be able to do 3 miles in 60 minutes tomorrow. Hopefully anyway. I'm excited about starting Zumba next Tuesday.

Day 3 ~ What a Day!

I haven't decided if the day has been so great because I have had 3 days off from work, or it was 76 today when I drove by the temperature reading, or I went to Paducah to get parts for my wheeler (getting time for riding), or while I was in Paducah went down to the flood wall where I will take on my 1st 1/2 marathon. I believe it was a mixture of all of it. I forgot and I had a completely awesome workout tonight! I decided since I felt so good to push it to the limit a little. I managed 2.02 miles in 40.42 minutes which I burned 196 calories. It was obvious that I pushed a little because my blood pressure was 130/81 with a pulse of 104 which is fine but up a little with the pushing. I was even able to run in the middle of it some and I ran towards the end some. My feet didn't start feeling a burning sensation until I got to 1.65 miles and it was slightly and not constant so I knew I could keep going for a while. I listened to some really upbeat music while I was walking that helped. Nothing like my 80's music to keep me going. It was cool going down to the flood wall today that is where the race will begin and I believe will finish. Right now much of it is under water. It is almost to the park benches on the water side of the wall. It was so beautiful down there with the Dogwoods blooming. Now it is time for some rest as we have Whitney's 1st Bridal shower tomorrow here in Kentucky. It should be fun and exciting. See you all tomorrow. Thanks for all the positive comments and vibes.

Day 2 ~ also included workout #2

I woke up slightly stiff which actually isn't unusual thanks to the Rheumatoid. As the day progressed I began to feel what I had done the day before. However, still determined I did my workout which to some is probably considered light but for me who is used to no workout is a lot. I managed to walk 1.6 miles at a fairly decent speed on the Nordic Trac in 33:05 and burned 155 calories. I actually worked up a sweat tonight and again was able to jog a little. It was less tonight than last night as my muscles started to burn and I didn't want to overdue it. I walked with weights in my hands again. I really didn't think I would notice much but my arms are actually sore today from those weights so I'm glad that I did that also. I decided I would also check my blood pressure and pulse when I finished each time to make sure that all looks good. Which confirmed what I thought was good 125/73 with 108 pulse which is good because it doesn't take much for me to run 90's low 100's. When I get worked up my pulse is faster than that. I'm sure I will be more sore tomorrow but hope to continue and maybe gain at least another tenth of a mile. Lots to do tomorrow as I prepare for Whitney's 1st wedding shower on Saturday but will fit my workout in.

Workout #1

Well, my 1st workout wasn't bad. We will see how I feel in the morning. I didn't want to overdue it but on the other hand I don't have a lot of time. I haven't done much of any type of exercise for the last year due to not feeling well and wonderful health issues including a new diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have decided I'm not going to let it rule my life. I walked on the treadmill for 1.5 miles in 33 minutes and burned 150 calories. I actually was able to jog a small bit of that and I mean a small bit. But I'm trying to draw the positive out of it and I was at least able to do a small bit which was better than nothing for my 1st day. I'm sure I will sleep well tonight. I also carried the small weights in my hands while I walked to help stengthen my arms. Again when Paul walked in from worked he said you really should start with something small. I said you still don't think I can do it. I will do this and I will finish.
My moto:Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

The beginning

I happen to see an article on West Kentucky Star about the Iron Mom 1/2 Marathon in Padcuah http://www.westkentuckystar.com/News/Local---Regional/McCracken-County/The-Mom-Behind-the-Paducah-Iron-Mom-Half-Marathon- and was reading to my husband and mentioned I should try to do that. It would give me something to work for and then I would for sure be able to fit in my dress for Whitney's wedding. His response was, "you should start with something smaller like a few miles." It pissed me off and I told him so. It made me even more to want to do it. So I told him I was going to no matter what I was entering the 1/2 marathon and I was going to work for it just because he doesn't think I can do it. No it won't be easy nothing good in life is easy but it is a goal that I can set for myself and work for and achieve all on my own and show everyone else that I can do it even though I'm 45, a grandma with Rheumatoid Arthritis, overweight, out of shape. I will finish I have to finish in 4 hours and in the mean time I will fit into my dress for my daughter's wedding 2 weeks later after the 1/2 marathon. I will keep you posted and today begins my training on my own.