I Can Almost See The Finish Line!

Before I even tell you about the insane days I've had, I want to send a shout out to Shannon who wasn't mentioned in the vlog entry. She changes her tennis schedule to come to contortion on Tuesday mornings and she's one of my Zumba peeps. Shannon, you're awesome!!!

I forgot to mention in the vlog entry that I went shopping with my dear friend, she was shopping for a dress for a wedding. While she was trying on clothes, I found a dress that I just had to try on. I didn't know what size to pick so, I picked multiple sizes and started from the biggest size and moved down. I put on a dress in a size I haven't worn in a LONG time. I was so excited that I walked out of the dressing room and started singing and even did a little dance. It was a sight to see... If I had a super nice occasion to go to, I'd go back and buy the dress. 

So, after I got my Housewives fix Wednesday morning, I headed to the gym and trained with Amy. SHE KICKED MY BUTT! I am thoroughly grateful though because it was some good therapy thrown in there for good measure, and heaven knows I needed the therapy.  After that, I got in a short run on the treadmill before I went to cycle class, I really cannot stand the treadmill. Anyways, I went to cycle and would you believe that the instructor played "Cheeseburger In Paradise", that is simply cruelty to fatties. I was so hungry and the song nearly sent me over the edge. I went to Zumba that afternoon and got to see Sarah and Shannon which is always fun, I love those girls. I was so ramped up after class, I felt like a bit of a crack head. I finally managed to tire myself out after going to Groove class later that evening. 

Thursday, I went to Amy's pilates class, and it was awesome. Her class is challenging but we also had a lot of laughs which helped the class simply fly by. I did not go to Groove, I needed the rest. Instead, I went to help my friend Christina find some accessories to go with the dress she bought on Tuesday's shopping adventure. Let me tell you, I learned a valuable lesson, I cannot be left alone in Charming Charlie's. I was picking accessories left and right, and I would have spent a small fortune had I not just put my basket down and walked out of the store. I had to laugh at myself a little because I get a little crazed when it comes to accessories of any kind. Then Thursday evening, I went to Group Active for the first time in a long time, and I stayed for Zumba immediately after that.

This morning K, Sarah and I went to for our long run. Thank goodness for Sarah because K and I were dragging. Sarah pulled us through today.... thank you! It was a different dynamic and a ton of fun to have more of us running together... it just worked out so well. Plus, it was nice to have a third for when we have to face off with the Stroller Mafia who will not budge and take up the entire golf cart path. After we finished our 7 miles, we all headed to lunch together. What could be better?! K and I went to Groove this evening, and I am so glad that she came because I was struggling and I don't know if I would have worked as hard had she not been there. 

So, tomorrow is the big weigh in and then I have to wait until Wednesday night to find out if I won. At this point, I still want to win but I am also ready for this to be over because I'm ready to get my head out of Crazy Town. As much as I enjoy being Mayor McCheese, the mayor of Crazy Town, I am ready to have my brain back to Normalville. Wish me luck! I saw the dude who's in second as I was leaving the gym tonight, I hope he only puts in a half as*ed effort. 

Saturday Night's Alright For Bloggin'

Friday morning, K and I went for our long run and were able to get in another seven miles. We took it easy and didn't try to better our time at all because to be honest, I haven't had the energy for it in the last little while. I was on such a high from the completion of the seven miles that I thought I should go to cycle class. It sounded like a great idea at the time but I was incredibly wiped out when it was done. All this exhaustion would keep most people at home instead of going to Groove on Friday night, but not me. I shimmied it out with my Groovy friends, but I'll be honest, I was tired. This ILIATC final push is awesome because I am seeing results but I am exhausted all the time, the good news is that the end of this insanity is near. I am ready to return to regular life from my extended stay in Crazy Town. I was telling K that I am entirely too competitive with things like this and it brings out a CRAZY side of me. Lucky for you, you've all had a glimpse at my brand of crazy.

I had my second last ILIATC weigh in today and I lost another 7 pounds!!!! I couldn't be happier but I have to just keep working super hard for one more week to finish strong. So close to being done! K, A and I have BIG plans for next Saturday after the last weigh in and workout. First of all, we are going to go eat pancakes... oh delicious carbs, we're heading to a local hang out to have a drink afterwards and we're finishing strong by making a stop at a local cupcake shop. It's a sad state of affairs when pancakes on Saturday are what's keeping me going right now.... all I want is my one cheat day. After this "Lost It" thing is done I can get back to a real way of eating and still getting result just not drastic results.

It's Saturday night, and I thought that maybe I should tell you 5 things about me.

• I LOVE musicals. I've been singing show tunes all night.
• My childhood heroes were not your run of the mill heroes. They were and still are Cher, Bette Midler, Julie Andrews and Barbara Streisand. I wanted to be Julie Andrews.
• I've always wanted to take dance lessons, the only kind of dance lessons I've ever taken were short lived swing dance lessons with an ex boyfriend. 
• I've been called an old soul more than once.
• I love to bake and I miss it dearly but it would be my downfall right now.

Here are a few show tunes I've been belting out tonight...

I won't even put in all the Sound of Music ones I've been singing. 

And because it's Halloween and I love Rocky Horror Picture Show...

I Found It!!!!

Look at what I found this morning....

The picture does not do the amount of dirt on it justice.... it was filthy.

So, K and I were trotting along when I saw something pink laying by the side of the path and I recognized it right away.... it was my pink bondi band!!! I almost didn't pick it up because it was so nasty but K coerced me into picking it up and shoving it in my spibelt. Picking up the headband is the opposite of what I would normally do, but K was convincing and I knew I would regret not picking it up. I am sure it was run over by golf carts and everyone else that uses the paths, but I am going to try not to think about it too much. I washed it as soon as I got home, and I think it'll be a few more washes before I even think about putting it back on my head. Although, I might not wear it again, and just bask in the fact that I found it. 

As you guessed, K and I ran today and we thought it would be a good idea to go for 6 again today. That as it turned out was a mistake. If we were good, we would follow the training plan and only do one long run a week, with two 30-40 minute runs before that. Anyways, I was exhausted and today was a real challenge to finish. I was dragging a** through the whole course, but I pushed through it, but we were SLOW. I mean we were inching along today. I think that I am going to try and take the entire day off before the next long run, it's just tough with this whole ILIATC thing going on right now. 

I have a question for you. Does having dreams about running mean that I am in the process of becoming a runner? I dreamt about the half marathon last night, and let me tell you in my dreams I was rocking it out. How lame is that? Apparently, I kicked Patrick a whole lot in my sleep so I must have really been into my dream last night. 

I have really been thinking about the half in the last few days. I was even visualizing crossing the finish line during the cycle class today. Actually, I pretty much tried to visualize the race during the whole class, it really helped me rock it out in class this afternoon. Oh and good news, the class was a lot less uncomfortable this go around, so we'll see how much better next week is. 

Gotta run, I have to get to Groove! My dear friend who will I will refer to as Lala is in town for the weekend and Groove was our Friday night date before she moved a few months ago. So, we're going to Groove and then get some coffee. 

Spice Up Your Life

It's a Spice Girls kind of day in Lucy-land. Don't fight it, just go with it. You know you danced to some "Wannabe" don't even try to act like you didn't. Ok, I know it's been a few days since I've updated but in my defense, I have fallen asleep on the couch mid post 3 nights in a row.

Anyways, let me tell you about Wednesday. I started the day with K and we ran 5 miles. I ran intervals and I really think that's why I was able to go as far as I did without being completely wiped out. Actually, during the last mile I was able to push a little harder and I know it was because of the intervals earlier in the run. I was so excited and proud of us, we totally rode the high from our accomplishment. We ended with a 1.4 mile walk/cool down, which brought us to having covered 6.4 miles. After that, K joined Amy and I for a training session. Amy worked our upper bodies and core pretty hard, and thankfully she was easy on our legs. While we were doing some shoulder work, K asked Amy if anyone really lifted the 130 pound dumbbells they have at the gym. Amy challenged me to try and pick it up because it's a little less then what I've lost this past year, and so that I can try to visualize how much weight I've lost. I took her up on it and went tried pick it up... I was only able to lift it about an inch off the ground. Needless to say, the feeling of trying to pick up that dumbbell is going to stay with me. I've already gone back to it a few times since Wednesday. Then just for fun and to top off the day, I went to dance it out in Zumba that afternoon.

Thursday was a pretty low key day, I just went to pilates and Groove. That being said, pilates was a tough class and I am still feeling sore from it. I had a lot to get done on Thursday, so I didn't make it to Zumba that evening. It's crazy but it made me sad, I missed my Zumba.

*Warning- this part might be TMI for you, just skip this part and go straight to Saturday's activities.* Friday was another of my insane days not unlike Monday. I started out with taking an easy 2 mile walk on my own. I went to Zumba, and followed it up with going for my first cycle class. Ok, I knew cycle class was going to be uncomfortable, but I had no idea. My general peesh area is SORE! I even had a gel seat cover, but that didn't make a difference, I am still sore. K and I stayed for half the class, that is about all my junk could take, but next class, K and I said we were going to aim to stay 45 minutes. Then in the evening, I went to Groove class which K was subbing for, it was a total blast.

This morning started with an EARLY morning run with K. We walked our first mile, and slowly jogged 2.9 miles after that. We were slow but we got out there and got it done. After that, I had my ILIATC workout and weigh in. It was great news!! I LOST 6.6 POUNDS!!! I got through the super tough workout by focusing on the great weight loss this week. I hope that my team stays in the top three again this week, and hopefully I will be in the top three for individual weight loss. Keep your fingers crossed for me.