Franny Finishes Disney Half Marathon!

Well I did it! I ran the Disney Half Marathon today. It was a really fun race! 13.1 miles and I enjoyed each one. My goal was to finish in under 3 hours. My time was: 02:58:56! Is that close or what!

I ran the race in honor of my mother. She passed 19 years ago from complications of heart disease and diabetes. Her last words to me where "Don't get heavy again!" Well I am finally heeding those words. I lost 117lbs in the last year and a half and now that I am running I will keep them off plus! I now that she would have been very proud to see me cross that finish line. The pants that I am holding in the picture are the ones I wore a year and a half ago. They are a reminder of where I have come from and where I will never return!

So what about the race...I have never seen so many people I think they said there were about 9,000 runners and walkers. It was amazing. The beginning of the race went through California Adventure and Disneyland Theme Parks. It was really crowded and hard to run at any decent pace. I kept running into walkers. Once out of the parks and onto the streets we where able to establish a pace. Along the way where marching bands, cheer teams and others cheering us on. It was really neat to see people cheering on strangers in our quest for personal bests. By mile 8 I was feeling pretty sore. My muscles were starting to cramp. I stopped to stretch and that helped. At mile 10 I started to walk more than run. I walked almost all of mile 11 so that I would be able to run the last mile to the finish line. When I hit the finish line and saw my sister standing there cheering me on, I started to bawl. Mom was on my mind and in my heart...this race was for her!

I am so happy to have such good friends and family that came out to support me. Thanks to Nette, my sister Terri, Mel, Trish, Vinnie and Robin for being there for me! Thanks for getting up at the crack of dawn on your holiday weekend to cheer me on. It meant so much to me words can't convey the love in my heart for each of you! Thanks again.

Franny Runs - Disney Half Marathon Week!

Week 11 of running! It is my first big race this week. On Sunday I will be running in the Disney Half Marathon. I am really excited. I ran 5 miles today and run 4 tomorrow and then rest the rest of the week. This way supposedly I will be ready to run on Sunday!

I am also getting ready for the big full marathon in Phoenix in January. I am running to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! I would love for any of you reading this to help out and sponsor me!

Franny Runs Week Ten

Ten weeks into running and I just love it! In fact, when I know I will not be running the next day, I am a little sad. Like right now, tomorrow is my cross train day, so no running, I am a little bummed. I think I will try to ride my bike in the morning. If I wake up on time. I have felt a little tired lately. I think that what ever is wrong with my gut is draining me of my energy. I have an upper GI next friday to hopefully figure out what is going on.

Only 1 1/2 weeks to my first Half Marathon. I can't wait! It is going to be fun.

Franny Runs Week Nine Long Run

Today was my longest run before the race. I was supposed to run 12 miles. I picked out my course by mapping it out on google maps. I ran from my house to El Toro, to Trabuco to San Canyon and back. That was supposed to be a little over 12 miles. Well I wound up being 14.5 miles! Ugh. I ran it with a 11:45 pace. I did a lot of walking on the return. I wore me out and the first time I got cramps in my legs.

I need to get more rest and more carbs before my long runs. After the run I took an ice bath for about 15 minutes. That made my muscles feel much better. I have 2 weeks to my first half marathon. And now I know I can do the miles!

Franny Runs - Week Nine

This is the beginning of my ninth week of running. I feel great! I ran four miles with a 10:45 pace, that is 5.6 miles per hour. Hee hee.

I was ready my first post on this blog today and am amazed at how far I have come so far:

"It took me 57:01:16 to complete the 3 miles. I used a 5 minute walk to a 2 minute run interval. I think that I was running in the Twilight Zone though. It just amazes me that 2 minutes is so much longer than 5 minutes! I still have the issue of breathing."

Wow I look at that and am very happy at my progress. I have a ways to go, but I know I can do nothing but improve.

Franny Runs Losing Weight!

Today was a short run only 3 miles. Wow never thought I would say "only" three miles! Hee hee. I ran my fastest pace today as well. I ran a 10:45 pace. Maybe I will get to a 10:00 pace by the time I run my first race.

Well I started losing weight finally. I have lost 6 pounds in the last couple weeks. I was bummed the first six weeks of my training because I did not lose an ounce. Now I have finally lost something. If only the skin would tighten up I would be rally happy!

Franny Runs Week Eight Long Run

Well I never in my life thought I would be able to say this. I ran eight miles today without stopping. WOW! I ran for 80 minutes straight. Eight weeks ago, I would have never thought. I am just amazed at what my body can do. I guess it just takes a little determination, willpower, and guts!

Next weekend is the big run before my Half Marathon. I will do 12 miles on Sunday. I just know I can do it!

Franny Runs - Week Eight Day Two

Today I ran the entire route. It was a 4 mile route (4.86 actually). I ran it in 53:22 for a 10:58 pace! My best pace yet. I broke the 11:00 barrier. I figured if I did not do the walking my pace would be better, but I did not think it would be below 11:00. I am happy with that. I would sure love to get to a 10:00 mile. I guess that may come with time. I just need to be patient.

I weighed myself this morning and have lost another pound. That make 4 pounds now. That feels good, since I feel healthy and strong as well.

4 weeks to my first 1/2 marathon! Can't wait.

Franny Runs - Week Eight

Well here we are in week 8! Never thought I would get this far. I noticed that I am truly a runner now...last night I was so excited that I would be able to get out and run this morning. It was like Christmas Eve as a kid! Never thought that I would be excited about do any kind of exercise.

This mornings run was nice too. I am getting to the point that I can day dream and think when I am running. My pace is still getting faster. I ran a 11.24 mile today at 5.2 mph. I think I will be able to break the 11:00 pace by my first 1/2 marathon on August 31st. Only four weeks to the big day!

Franny Runs Week Seven Long Run

I had a nice 7 mile run this morning. I did it with a 11:34 pace. That is my best pace for a long run. I am surprised that I was able to maintain that speed. On Friday I spent the evening in the hospital with extreme pain in my abdomen. My doctor thought that I might have Appendicitis. Turned out to be a big ovary. Now I have to have that looked into. I did not eat but 2 bites of food and very little drink. I was really week when I got home at 11:30 that evening. I could hardly walk from the car to the house. I lost 4 pounds friday and have not yet put it back on. I guss that is ok, because I do feel much better. The pain is not nearly as bad as it was on Friday, but it is still there.