Cupcakes and Running Nude with a Potty-Mouth

I love the quote that says, "If you are tired of starting over, stop quitting."

Can I get a T-shirt design, please?

And yet I struggle with this on a daily basis.

One of my biggest faults is over-commitment and under-follow-through.

It's a curse, really.

(and I'm pretty sure a tad genetic.)

One thing I'm not going to do is lie to you and tell you that I ran last week.

At all. . . not One. Single. Time.

It's pathetic.

I did so well during week one and two and didn't miss a single run.

Then I totally drop the ball on Week Three.

Gah.

It's not like I didn't have a ton on my plate:

Potty-training my three-year-old is proving to be harder

than nailing jello to a tree.

We're making 20-minute sprints to the bathroom, underwear flying

Only to have pee and poo splattered all over my tile floors,

and tiny baby bottoms. . . and my hair.  

(Don't even ASK me how that happened.

 It was a seventh world wonder experience, I assure you. )

While we're talking about WONDERS, 

I'd like to use this platform to point out that part of my sleepless nights

have been spent cheering my THUNDER team to greatness

Western Conference Champions, baby!! 

Also. . . 

One of my bestie's is having a baby, so I've also been staying up

til ungodly hours of the night making baby blankets

and scrapbooks and teeny-tiny-baby-bikini onesies.

Going to bed at three when you're supposed to be up to run at six

does not, I repeat NOT a cheerful mommy (with motivation to boot!) make.

And just to add nonsense to my already chaotic excuse,

I had nothing to wear.

No really. . .I hadn't done laundry in three weeks.

I'm not so sure running nude through my neighborhood is even allowed.

So I quit.  Just this week.

And hated myself for it. 

So many of you were very encouraging.

Telling me to pick myself up and start over.

That's the reason I decided to do this little blog.

The accountability is just what I needed.

If you haven't joined any of our conversations, you can do that here:

Couch Potato to Marathon Mom's Facebook Fanpage!

I'd love your support and inspiration in doing just that. . . 

Starting over.

Here I go, Week Three!

Alarm clock, get ready for a pounding!

I'm going to give it my all this week. 

I'm going to Run, Run, Run my little heart out!

In a sports bra and shorts cause laundry is done and the nudist lifestyle is not longer necessary.

You're welcome.

And on an equally serious note, 

We're all going to go pee and poo in the potty this week.

(This is my wishful thinking, although I can assure you that I will go in the big girl potty.)

All systems are officially a go for a Do-Over Week Three.

There is only 5 weeks left before my 5K race.

Heaven help me!

Send me your prayers and your well-wishes, friends!

(and cupcakes, if you've got em.)

I'm on a Plank-A-Thon, and I Hate It's Guts!

The PLANK. . .

Killing myself slowly in my own home.

It sounded like an Okay idea at the time.

That was before I did one.

Now I'm re-evaluating all my previous life decisions.

As will you, if you join my June Plank-A-Thon.

I'm on a mission (heaven, help me!)

To plank an accumulated 3 hours over the course of one month.

I'm only 5 minutos into this mess as of today.

Someone pointed out the fact that I have to plank for 6 minutes a day 

to reach the total 180 minutes for the month.

Thank you, whoever did the math for me.

180 MINUTES?!?!!!

Sounds like a butt-load more time than 3 hours!

Breathe. . . .

But this is why I blog about my woes, isn't it?

So that I can whine and gripe and all of you glorious people

get to tell me to keep going and not quit

and stop acting like a big, fat loser lady!  

So here's your chance! 

But before I open up the phone lines, 

maybe I should explain a bit about what I'm doing with this madness.

A lot of people (my hubby included)

wondered "what the heck is a plank"?

(And yes, I googled this business to give you the actual definition.)

The plank exercise ranked number 10 in the ACE study and is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as the stabilizer muscles. This move is also great for building strength for push-ups, an exercise that requires quite a bit of core strength.

How to:

1. Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
2. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
3. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
4. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air or sagging in the middle.
5. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.

So there are a lot of variations of the "Plank" and I plan to try them all.

Goodness knows, I'm going to have to switch this up!

So here are photos of me attempting each and every style of planking.

Laugh if you want to, but only if you promise you'll try them too!

Basic Plank 

Aside from the fact that I look like I have a kangaroo pouch,

this is my favorite plank pose. 

It's the easiest for me.  

Just get in push-up position and hold it for 30 seconds.

I'm trying to go longer than that, 

but honestly, once I get to a minute

my body starts shaking uncontrollably.

And nobody wants that.

This is the most basic of poses and I recommend it for starting out.

Reverse Plank

This is the basic plank in reverse. 

I'm finding it mainly strengthens the backs of my arms 

and my back muscles. 

And after a good run, it's hard on my legs

as you place most of your balance on your heels and shoulders.

Stability Plank

This rendition of the plank works with your couch or a stability ball.

Place your shins on top of either one 

and balance your weight on your hands.

I'm trying to actually do a combo of push-ups with this method.

I say "try" because realistically I have NO upper-body strength. 

But it's building those arm muscles as well as my core.

Side Plank

This is the hardest plank variation for me.

Can't you tell by my intense facial expression?

I look like I'm having a complete blast! Ha!

Just balance your weight on your forearm and the side of the leg.

Some mix this pose and add leg lifts.

I will NOT be attempting this. . .

It was hard enough holding this pose for the 3 seconds it took

to take one measley photo before I toppled over. 

Dolphin Plank

This one wasn't the most fun either.

Place your forearms on the floor and balance your weight on your toes.

And hold for your designated time. 

Don't ask me why they relate this pose to a serene, delicate mammal.

I felt a bit like I had been captured and was being tortured for 30 seconds.

It was excruciatingly hard for me. 

I may stick to the basic plank until my "Core" feels better.

So what do you say?! 

 Suffer though the June Plank-A-Thon with me??

Storms, Inclines, and 6 Miles, OH MY!

I realize that I was supposed to run this morning.

Really I do.

But cut a sister some slack today, will ya?

My poor legs are still recovering from the weekend.

You see, the hubs and I went to Roman Nose State Park for some childless R&R.

However, that's not what we got.

We set up camp and had lots of talk time around a bonfire,

but once we were good and asleep for the night, severe weather rolled in.

(That's Oklahoma for ya!)

We're talking lightning, thunder, rain, and strong winds.

In a tent. . .I'm not thinking so!

So we retreated to the back of the jeep and that's where we stayed til the morning.

Let's just say, I didn't sleep fabulously.

I feel as though my hips will never be the same.

I did however get up and go running first thing.

All by my lonesome.

It was bittersweet.

The "wind sweeping down the plains" was mixed with running

up and down our state's mini-mountains.

I realized why I love a treadmill.

Inclines (especially natural ones) are not my fave.

But I'm pretty proud that I got my final run in for Week Two. 

(May I have a round of applause, please?!)

After breakfast we decided to start a day of hiking.

This is the hubster's outdoor love.

I've chosen to try to love it too.

We still have a love/hate relationship though.  We're working through it.

The hike was about 6 miles. 

All but 10% of it was barren, cacti-covered wasteland.

We affectionately named it "Sunburn Prairie". 

Don't get me wrong, it was a good day.

We had some spectacular views of the lake and mountain ranges.

And some forest exploring to find some beautiful natural springs!

Ice cold water was Definitely what we needed

After our 100 degree day!

But I have to say. . .I prefer running.

On my nice, FLAT neighborhood streets for exercise. 

My legs are still quivering at the thought of Week Three training,

But we'll tackle it tomorrow. 

Today. . .

Today the only running I'm going to be doing is after these two beauties:

Get it this week, amigos! I plan to also!!!

On Your Mark. . .Get Set. . .RUN!!

Before I get started on how my first run went, 

let's take care of some less appetizing business. . .

So here's the real deal-y.  I plan to post pictures

 (as I've threatened previously)

of the month-to-month progress. 

I'll post these photos on the 20th of every month. 

Photos will likely be enough to give all you "child-less" amigas 

enough birth-control to last years to come. Go on and get those chastity belts ready! 

Kids did NOT do this body good! 

I'm a bit embarrassed to post them at all, so please, if you leave comments,

they had better be of the "you don't at all look like a beached whale!" nature

or I may start running in a full-on hajib for the duration of my training. 

What a sec. . .that may not be a bad idea. . ..I'd definitely "glisten" more. . .

I could certainly be onto something here.

Anywho. . .pictures. . .Lordy, the before pictures. . .

Without further ado

 (unless of course, you have some -ado, then by all means, 

don't let my rushing around to show you half-naked pics of my

 flabby booty get in the way. . .)

Here's the horror and reality of my situation: 

Shock and awe, right?!

I know, I hide it well!  At least that's what I tell myself!

Now I know it's not nearly as bad as some other's situation.

But it's still a "situation" to me.

One that I'm asking God to help me overcome, starting right now.

And now for DAY ONE:

I won't be posting about every single one,

 so please don't get scared off just yet.

But today was a milestone. 

It seems that day one is always the most difficult

for any new project or exercise regime.

Mine was a doozy.

You see in Oklahoma, I woke up to this today:

Not exactly the first morning run I had envisioned. . .

I don't even own a pancho.

Stupendous.

But I strapped on the sneakers and set out.

And I found in the process of my belly-aching about perfect running conditions

 that I quite like running in the rain!  Who knew!  

It's like one giant sprinkler follows you around as you burn calories! 

So from now on, on days I have a longer run

you might find me washing my car the night before. 

We all know that will bring the Oklahoma showers!

The run itself was marvelous. 

60 seconds of jogging then 90 seconds of walking.

Repeating that for 20 minutes. 

I got tired of counting in my head instead of enjoying the music in my ipod

so I started a new method. . .

walk during the verses of songs, run during the choruses.

It did the trick nicely.

Day One down and I'm still excited about this project.

Now I need a nap.

Happy running fellow couch potatoes!