Jocelyn's 1/2 Marathon Journal

[feelin-great]

I updated some pics from the half marathon. I tried to do an assortment. One shows worst, must have been mile 12 the finish line picture definitely shows exhaustion but I managed a small smile

[Boss Man]

Well you had every reason to smile, because you were amazing .

[Alinshop]

Congratulations on your BIG accomplishment Jocelyn! I hope your foot starts healing soon. How is it feeling today?

[musculArgirl2]

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Great job and i'm happy your feet are feeling better jocelyn. Cool to meet some biggest loser people too! Your looked great! Great accomplishment for you.

[fitoverforty]

Great pics Joc! You look awesome. Even the one at mile 12. I have a "mile 12" pic that looks alot like that hey, it shows you were working hard! Nothing wrong with that.
Congrats again.

[feelin-great]

Congratulations on your BIG accomplishment Jocelyn! I hope your foot starts healing soon. How is it feeling today?

feet are doing ok. I haven't done much in terms of excercise because the more pressure I put on them the worse they get, so I am following doctor's orders and taking the two weeks off. I really don't want to do more damage. I am going to try to put some inserts in shoes to see how that goes. I have tried them in the past and hated them, but I am pretty motivated to find something to work for me because I want to continue running.

I have to admit, since finishing the half marathon, motivation level has dropped I think I hit that emotional high that day and when it was over I just sort of crashed. I need a new motivator So now I have one - I am signing up for another half marathon in May I am sort of addicted to them now And it will be fun to try to beat time - I have plenty of time to get myself in better shape so I can drag myself across that finish line faster!

It's good to have goals, I find it keeps me in check!

[musculArgirl2]

I like goals too! they so much help with motivation.


Sounds like a great goal for next spring!

[musculArgirl2]

I know that might depend on your insurance too though.


Joc are you planning on running all winter this year? i know last year you planned on it and than got injured. I liked running in the winter but i was able to run during the day at the time. It's different when it's sunny out versus after dark. I really give you credit if you run in the evenings after work in the cold. Very cool if you do!

[feelin-great]

I am going to hold off on seeing a specialist. If I can the problem on own, that would be great! I am going to try some inserts again. Possibly a new pair of shoes. If nothing works then I will consider going in, but I am not sure what insurance will cover and the added expense isn't really feasible for me right now!

goal is to continue to run outside all winter. I don't have a gym membership so it is only option if I want to keep running!!! I am going to buy some reflective stuff for myself and probably a reflective vest for Stewie so I can continue. Daytime running isn't an option for me except weekends, so I may just have to suck it up and learn to run in the harsh Wisconsin winters

[musculArgirl2]

I don't blame you on waiting for a specialist. It's a nice option as long as it's not costly.

[feelin-great]

I have had a rough couple of weeks. I have been really ill, I missed a few days of work with a high fever and all that fun stuff, pretty sure I had the flu (got shot today though so hopefully that's done!). Even though I am feeling better I am just completely drained, I am exhausted all the time and sleep a ton. I think I am on the mend, though, so I am hopeful!

Also, I am possibly taking a new position at work (promotion). I am not sure yet if I am going to accept it or not, but I am getting pretty stressed worrying about making the right decision!

I checked into the CrossFit that just opened by house - the first class is free, and you can go in to observe anytime. I might try to do that either this weekend or next weekend. Then I can talk to them about if there are any sorts of packages or if I have to sign up under a membership.

I hope everybody else is having a great week

[Boss Man]

GOOD LUCK with the work situation and I appreciate things are a little trying right now with one thing or another and i'm sending you a BIG HUG Jocelyn, because i'm still proud of you and most importantly for just being you.

So chin up, keep fighting and keep believing. You've come quite a way in the past 12 months, in terms of mindset and the injuries you've had, but you've stuck with it and hung on in there and achieved some race results to boot. You're a pretty amazing Lady and you're getting more amazing with each passing month and if you need to talk about anything or just need someone to bitch at, message me anytime.

In the mean time try not to worry to much, be strong and remember that you ARE worth it and every bit of time and effort you put into yourself is worth it and you DESERVE to be good to yourself like that .

[musculArgirl2]

Glad your feeling better and good luck with you decision on your position!

Let us know how you like crossfit too!! I like to read about it from lynne. I have no interest i don't think in doing it but it's fun to read other peoples experiences with it!

[feelin-great]

I decided against the CrossFit. They are $150 per month and I would only be able to go a maximum of 4 times a month because their hours are HORRIBLE! If I could buy a punch card or something I would have considered it. They close before I get home from work during the week and they are closed on Sundays.

I took the promotion at work, I officially accepted it yesterday, so I will be slowly transitioning once they fill position. I also took a part time job to help get me out of debt. life is a little on the insane side right now I have been squeezing in running, but that's about it. At first it was really painful for feet, so I switched back to old shoes. That helped tremendously. I clearly need the arch support These ones are causing blisters, but I figured they will harden up eventually Buying a new pair is not an option as I am so riddled with debt I have to laugh or I would cry So time to focus on that.

I am finding myself needing to budget for food now. I have never done that before and I am struggling with coming up with healthy meals on a really tight budget. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I have sort of caught up on journals and will respond to each soon, as time permits. I just need to keep moving or I will seriously go insane from the stress I have been under lately. If I laugh I can get through it - and Stewie helps, too I am going to take it one day at a time and hopefully there will be a light at the end of the tunnel

[Boss Man]

Firstly WELL DONE on the promotion Jocelyn. You're a wonderful human being and you deserve some good things in your life right now .

Secondly, in regards to food budgeting, this is part of a response I gave to someone else a few months back which you might find useful .

Things like

1. Red sticker promotions

2. Blue cross promotions

3. Fixed percentage discounts.

4. "Upto" percentage discounts.

5. Buying in bulk from farmers markets.

6. "Downshifting", which means buying own brand not branded goods. However this may not yield a good taste comparison every time.

7. Sometimes supermarkets pitch stuff out and let you have it for nothing.

8. Priced to clear items, either in bargain bins or on the sell by date.

9. Shopping around and walking to stores in close proximity. Good exercise and saves a bit of money potentially.

10. Some places raffle returned stuff off, but sometimes it's pot luck. I.E. a tin with no label containing peaches, instead of soup like you wanted.

11. Buying damaged products I.E. dented tins, but the inidividual should make sure they don't damage stuff on purpose.

12. Large boxes of cereal, to get better value for money.

13. Coupons out of papers, magazines or coupon books.

14. Buying online for discounts, but beware the faceless corporation incase of difficulties arising from this.

15. Free stuff. An example being Kefir growers who often grow so much, they will send some to you gratis. Admittedly though I cannot think of any other examples, apart from hampers won in raffles or given to the zillionth customer in-store and those may contain some questionable food items, depending on what's in them.

16. Market stalls may be able to beat store prices.

17. Good old fashioned haggling on price.

18. Extra free items that say one or two extra in the container, or n% extra free in the container.

19. Farm shops may be able to beat store prices.

20. Grow your own. Minimum startup cost, requring bulbs and seeds. if you have the soil, nothing else may be needed, otherwise growbags will be required, or various amounts of flowerpots.