Getting ripped in 90 days!

  

Today Dave and I started P90X!  This work out program is something like I've never experienced before - pull ups, push ups, plyometrics, Kenpo Kickboxing, Yoga?, and AbRipper X.  We should see a tremendous change in 90 days.  We're guaranteed to look like this :)

Yea, we'll see, but it's fun starting a new journey.  Dave wanted me to label the picture above as his after photo, but then he remembered he doesn't own any shorts that color... The program involves taking before pictures (or "good-bye" pictures), then pictures every 30 days after that to document the change.  I promise to keep these pictures private; I would hate for you to have to go through such a horrible experience.

If you are looking for a work out program, I would definitely recommend P90X.  It is worth every penny.  So, needless to say, running has currently been put on hold.  I'm planning on getting back to running after 90 days, and hoping this workout will help increase my speed and endurance.  In the mean time, for any P90Xers out there, "keep pushing play" and "bring it!"

THE HUMAN RACE 10K

While a bunch of you were keeping an eye on Gustav on Sunday evening, I was running the Human Race in Austin.

It was so fun!  There were approximately 13,000 people running the race in Austin alone. Including Lance Armstorng and Benjing gold medalist and former Longhorn swimmer, Brendan Hansen.

  

I wish I had my own camera to take my own pictures, but since I didn't, I had to borrow these from the Nike website.  

   

This was the course we ran.  Let me tell you...those were some hills!!!!  I did okay on the first hill, but by the 2nd hill, I wasn't too sure why I was doing this.  I walked a little during the second hill, but decided not to walk anymore.  I was afraid I was not going to be able to keep running if I stopped again.  You see, when I run, it is normally early in the morning.  The sun is not out yet and it is probably only 78 degrees.  Last evening, the sun was still shinning bright and it was 92 degrees or so.  Oh yea, and did I mention that there were hills??? 

I'm glad I had the opportunity to run the Human Race after all.  For a while, I didn't know if I was going to do it.  Brooke at Everyday Bailey, Elizabeth and I were going to go on a girls weekend and run the race.  Our plans, for the weekend, fell apart because of Gustav.  So, I wasn't 100 percent sure I wanted to drive from San Antonio to Austin just to run the race and then have to drive right back, but I did it and I'm glad I did.  I met up with Lucy and Lindy and we had a great time.

It took me one hour and eleven minutes to run the 6.2 miles.  This is a little longer than usual. I normally run it in one hour and five minutes, but I think the hills and the heat made it a little bit more difficult.  

I can't wait for my next race....

What a Difference!

I didn't think I needed new running shoes, but I've been reading that even though your shoes might not look that bad, it's a good idea to get new running shoes every 300 to 500 miles.

I wanted to take advantage of tax free weekend. So, look at what I got today.

After all, I have ran 386 miles since the end of March plus all those miles I ran a while back with the very same pair of running shoes.  I decided it was time for a new pair.  I think I deserve them!  What do you think?

Oh, and did I tell you they feel great?

Just do it!

Yea right. I wish it was that easy...Just do it. This morning I had such a hard time getting out of bed. I had to fight my bed, sheets and pillow. I guess part of the problem is that it's still so dark at 4:00 a.m.

This is a picture of my alarm clock with the lights off

I finally was able to get out of bed at 4:18! I mean, it took me 18 minutes to decide that I was going to go run.

See how dark it is at 4:38 a.m.?

Well, the struggle didn't end there. Once I got to the track, I had to talk myself into running. I thought to myself that as long as I walk (just for today) it would be okay. But somehow, I found the strength to start running. Boy was that first mile hard. My legs weren't moving! Somehow though I was able to run the 6 miles I was scheduled to run. Yay, I did it! Now I feel great. I'm glad I didn't give in.

After warming up, running, visiting, and cooling off it was time to go back home to get ready for work.

This is a picture of the clock in my car after my run this morning.

Still dark, even though is 6:00 a.m.

Just two more weeks for the Nike Human Race!

Nike+ Human Race 10km

I just registered for the Nike+ Human Race 10km. This event will take place in Austin on August 31, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. As far as I know, Brooke and Luci are also participating. It's going to be so much fun. So, if you are interested, just let me know.

Almost a Perfect Day

It would've been perfect if Daddy would've been with us! We woke up early and ate a healthy breakfast ( no donuts this morning). Then, we went to the Kid Fun Run. This was the kid's first race. At first Natalia just wanted to do 1 race out of 3, but when she saw the trophies, she changed her mind. Before the race, I was talking with them and telling them to run fast once the man told them to go. Natalia turned around and said, "No Mama, I don't want to go fast at first or else I'll waste all my energy. I want to start slow and save my energy so that I can finish the race." Needless to say, she did pretty well, for being her first race. She ran 1/4 mile, then she participated in the 1/2 mile race. Poor baby, she had to run without me because I forgot my tennis shoes and was wearing flip flops. One of the men organizing the event, I guess felt sorry for her and ran with her. He was very helpful. She finished strong! There was one more race which she decided not to do. She didn't think she could run 1 more mile.

Carson and Luke were a little hesitant about the whole thing. About 2 minutes into the race, Carson fell and scraped his knee pretty bad and that was the end. Carson, Luke and I walked to the finish line. They all got a ribbon! Carson really wanted a trophy. Oh well, you live and learn.

This afternoon, after the kids rested a little, we went to the McNay Museum. The McNay Art Museum had been closed due to construction. This weekend is their grand opening so we helped them celebrate!

We looked for paintings and sculptures. Today, we concentrated on Monet and Picasso. There were also several paintings by Natalia Goncharova. I kept pointing them out to Natalia and she would say, "Ah, stop saying that, I didn't paint that!"

We also explored the outdoors, which is just beautiful! At 7:00 p.m. we finally sat down and enjoyed some Jazz Music. Luke & Carson were really eatin' that up. They loved it. Natalia sat and enjoyed every minute of it while Carson and Luke could not stop dancing around. ~What a great way to end our day!

100 Miles

As some of you might remember, I started running again on March 18th. Well...on Sunday, I reached my 100 milestone! Nike+ sent me a certificate to celebrate my accomplishment :0).

I did it!

I showed up and ran the scenic 4 mile run! I almost missed it. We got to the start line approximately 3 minutes before the run began. Just enough time for me to put my race number bib on my shirt and the chip on my shoe. It was a great run though. Lots of hills and I mean, big hills. I had not even thought about it until I was talking to a co-worker on Friday and she said : "Erika, you know scenic means big hills, right?" Didn't do great, but I crossed the finish line running. What a wonderful experience. I definitely will be doing this again. The kids had fun watching me participate, although they were wondering why I had taken so long to come back. When all was set and done, out of the blue, Carson whispered in my ear "Mama, I think you are a good runner." Natalia also said to me: "Yea, I think you won." I really don't know how she figured that out since there were about 150 people who crossed the finish line before I did :0)~ 

  Here we are at the finish line!

A few pictures of the scenery (of course, not taken by me :0)

After the run, since my aunts from Guatemala had never been to Wimberley, we took advantage of our trip.  So we went to a few of the many cute shops around town. The kids behaved nicely which is always a plus. We ended the day by eating lunch at Rudy's.  

  

  

When we got home, Tia Naty gave me a pedicure and Tia Lety a manicure. ~Wow, what a treat!

I'm So In!

Okay, so I did it! I just signed up to run the W4 -WIMBERLEY FOUR. I'll be running a scenic 4 mile run by the river and through the village of Wimberly this Saturday. They are calling it a "TREAT"! I'm going to "have the chance to run along some of the most scenic stretches of this hidden, Hill Country gem." --Yea, we'll see.

Gaining weight wasn't enough for me to get motivated!

After nagging for so long, Dave finally gave in. Last Sunday while in Beaumont, Dave and I went to pick up a few things to get me motivated enough to start waking up at 4:45 a.m. to jog. After we spent all that money on some clothes, a nano and a watch, Dave said: "All right, no more excuses, I'll call you tomorrow to see how your first jog went." Well, he called Monday and I had to fess up to the fact that I didn't jog. In my defense, I didn't jog because, according to the Running Program I'm following, Monday's are my days off (along with Wednesdays AND Fridays.) Hey, it's not a bad little deal I've got going here. If you are interested, let me know and I'll hook you up with the training program I'm using :0). All this to say, I've ran twice this week! After spending all that money, I hope I can stick with this "I want to start running again like I used to" kick I've been in for a while now.