Showin' My Calves Who's Boss.

So I just got back from Day 2 of running. Yesterday I was supposed to do cross-training for 30 minutes, but Aunt Flo got the best of me and I succumbed to the beckoning call of my couch. I'm sure I could have done it, but instead I will be giving up my "rest day" on Friday and doing some cross-training!
So i am already improving a little bit! I went around Orinda Circle again, and this time I was able to run about 1/3 of the way! The odd weather has really been helping my cause. Who knows why it's 70 degrees and sunny in November but I like it!
Today's recommended songs for workouts include:
"4 minutes" - Madonna and Justin Timberlake
"Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi

I don't know what it was, but for some reason pounding the pavement to songs about saving the world and being halfway there are really inspiring! I'm sure the residents on my street have noticed my "inspiration" in that I stop after a burst of running and kind of shake my booty while I stretch it out. Hey, whatever gets you out there right? Right....

Today the calf-burning was 10x as bad as it was the first time I ran. I think my calves are rebelling. We don't NEED no marathon, biotch! We just FINE! However, I beg to differ. I guess appeasing them with ice afterwards will keep me from a major sports injury. It will also give them time to plot against me, unfortunately....

So I have news regarding the donations to PETA. For some reason my registration didn't work, so I have to re-register. I will give you all my fundraiser page info as soon as I get it!

PS: If anyone lives in the Sacramento area and would like to help me out with a car wash at some point let me know!

To All Philanthropists!

If you are interested in donating to help my cause, please email me:

jenxmarie@gmail.com

My goal is to raise $1000 for PETA.

Any amount is appreciated, even if you can only spare $5. I will publish your name and amount on my blog as a thank you!

For some reason, my active.com account is having some glitches, so for now I can only take cash and check....but PETA says they will fix it soon. Updates to come!

Day One.....For Real This Time.

Ok, so far this training thing has kind of gotten off on the wrong foot. A number of things have gone wrong in my attempt to start training. I was technically supposed to start training on Saturday, but that didn't happen because I was having my mother-in-law over for dinner and my house needed to be perfect (my standards, not hers). So this morning I woke up completely PUMPED up about beginning training. FINALLY. Until.....

1. I couldn't find my sports bra. I don't know how many of you can relate, but if your breasts are anywhere over a size B, you should really wear a sports bra while exercising. Let's just say mine are....well "just a bit" bigger than that, so me running without a bra would probably warrant a citation or at least a ticket for indecent exposure. Either way, my sports bra could not be found until after about 25 minutes of searching. Of course it was in the dryer, after I washed it in anticipation of training. *sigh* moving on... let's go!

2. Nope, can't go yet. I couldn't find my iPod either. The iPod is probably almost as essential as the sports bra. I can't stand running in silence. Oh, sure the sounds of nature are great, but I need a beat to run to. I decided on my backup iPod, the Shuffle, threw some jamz on it, stuffed it into my constricted cleavage and finally made it out the door.

So today's training was supposed to be 20 minutes of alternating running and walking. I thought it was going to be soooo easy. I bounced my way down the road to "Billy Jean" and focused on pacing myself. Unfortunately it was just my luck that Aunt Flo decided to visit today, but I wasn't about to let her *cramp* my style! (sorry for the horrible pun!) I was able to make it all the way around Orinda Circle (I'm not sure how far that is, but it's not really a huge accomplishment). Of that, I ran about a quarter of the way. Not too shabby, if I say so myself!

However, as I approached our driveway my calves were throbbing and burning so badly I thought they were going to give up! But I did it. I actually ran.....sort of.

So now I am off to attempt a healthy vegan lunch, and possibly ice my calves.
We shall see how I do tomorrow with cross-training!

Is she NUTS?

So today I began training for a marathon.

I suppose that's a good beginning. This is something I never thought I would have the determination to do. I'm just your average, "a few extra pounds" American, who's general idea of exercise usually involves walking to the mailbox and back. So imagine everyone's surprise when I proudly announced "I'm running a marathon!".

How The Great Marathon Endeavor began.

I receive weekly email newsletters from PETA, most of which I glance at the subject line and delete. However, this one was different. It spoke of a marathon in San Francisco, hosted by Kaiser Permanente. It told of all the charities the marathon helped. And it invited me to join! At first I thought "NO way would I ever be able to do that!". Then they offered me a free personal trainer and I thought "MAYBE I could do that". Before I knew it I had a new goal.....and a $40 registration fee.

After I paid and registered, I had my doubts. I had attempted exercise plans before. I always run at least 2 days in a row. Then....well.....I don't. But then I realized that this was different. This wasn't really about me. I mean sure, I'll lose a few pounds, which will be great. But really, this is about helping people and helping animals.

Along with my extensive training schedule for the next few months, I will also be raising money for PETA through my involvement with the PETA Pack. My goal is $1000 by February 1, 2009, the day of the race.

This is something completely outside my comfort zone. I'm hoping it will change my life....or at least my waistline....

So this blog will follow my trials and successes for the next 11 weeks to prepare for what I shall call....

The Great Marathon Endeavor.
February 1, 2009
San Francisco