Welcome New Runners!

Hello new people! Welcome, I’m so excited that you decided to stop by my website. Perhaps, you set a new year’s goal to learn to run or to complete a 5K. Well, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m Carli, and I created a Couch to 5K podcast that you can download for free here. The podcast has great music, has vocal cues to tell when to run. After 9 short weeks, you WILL be a real runner. It doesn’t matter how old, or how fat you are. There is proof my podcast works. Check out my Wall of Fame which is full of successful 5K runners and my Roll Call post where runners all over the world shared their stories of inspiration. Right now, I’m training for my second half marathon to raise money to fight cancer, while continuously fighting the battle of the bulge. My “real job” is a Paralegal and I’m super busy with a big trial going on, so if you have questions please refer to my FAQ page or post your questions on my Facebook page or the Couch to 5K Facebook page. For all my current runners, let’s see if we can increase our speed. Good Luck!

All I Want For Christmas…

All I want for Christmas is YOU.  If you were running on the treadmill wondering what kind of Christmas gift to give your favorite blogger and podcast creator (aka Carli), I have just the right thing.  You can make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training.  Your donation will not only help find a cure for blood cancer, but will show your support in helping me cross the Half-Marathon finish line.  Don’t worry, if you already spent all of your money.  I will graciously accept your donations until March of 2012.  Please click here to view my RACE FOR A CURE PAGE with details about how to send in your donation.

Butts N Guts

I am proud to say that since my half marathon training started on Friday, I have not missed a single day of training.  On Friday, I went to the gym and did a quick, but hilly mile on the treadmill and showered before heading to church to see my little sister praise dance in honor of the church’s 53rd anniversary.  Saturday morning I went to my first group training session in Forest Park.  Because the group is much smaller than last year, there was only one other walker.  Last year there were at least 15 of us walkers.  Even though my ultimate goal is to do a light jog during the race, I’m not quite ready to run with the “real” runners.

The new training schedule distances vary according to your current level of ability.  I’m between a level I and the level II.  Level I required one mile and level II required two miles.  Me and the other walker completed a brisk 1.87 miles together.  It was fun to train with the team again and have the support of the staff and the coaches.  My Big little sister invited me to attend a boot camp-like class called Butts n Guts also on Saturday morning.  After group training, I cleaned out my car to keep myself busy before class, because I knew if I went home I would get back in bed.  I met my sister at the community center and we had our first Butts N Guts class with the ex-military man named Omega.  He worked us out!  I was especially tired since I had already walked nearly 2 miles before 8AM.  The class was an interesting interval mixed workout.  We did the stair step, jumping jacks, leg lifts, bicycles, and even ran a couple laps around the gym.  My sister and my niece and I went to Soulard Market after class to get some fresh veggies and new spices.  I was exhausted and slept well when I got home.

Monday was a beautiful day, 70 degrees in November.  Unfortunately though, we had 25 pleadings to be filed in court that day, so there was hardly time to breathe.  I wanted to walk outside so badly, that I walked a couple quick loops (about one mile) around Kiener Plaza downtown.   Only a few of the occupy protestors were still there since the police put them out. By the time I got back to my desk my attorneys were hunting me down.  It was risky for me to leave, but in hindsight I’m glad that I did since I stayed at work until 9:30 PM and would not have had time to go to the gym.

Today however, felt more like November typically feels, a cool 50 degrees.  It was dark and cold by the time I got off work, and I just wanted to go home.  I couldn’t find my Walk at Home DVD, so I turned on my new show “Ringer” with Sarah Michelle Gellar, and walked circles around the living room.  I fast forwarded through the commercials, but walked the entire time.  I guess I walked about 45 minutes.  I certainly wasn’t sweating, because you can only build up so much momentum and speed while avoiding the glass coffee table and fighting the dog that thinks it’s all a game.  But, I still felt good about being active.  I felt dizzy, but good.  Maybe I should invest in a treadmill? Duh! …Anyway, I’m so happy to have fitness as a priority again.

Getting A Head Start

My first group training session with TNT for the Half Marathon is Saturday Nov. 12.  I decided to get a head start, so that I can keep up.  I want to do a light jog during the race, even though I’ll probably still train with the walkers team.  I saw the runners last year, I can’t keep up with them.  Maybe one day I will be able to keep up, but today ain’t that day! LOL. 

I dragged myself to the gym, since the temperature has dropped, and daylight savings time has reared it’s ugly head.  It’s totally dark outside by the time I leave work.  Anyway, since I’m not really accustomed to running or jogging anymore, I went back to basics.  I started with Week 1 of the Couch to 5K.  I haven’t heard that podcast in a while, and it was kind of exciting not to know which song was next.  For the first few runs, I thought, oh this is easy; I could’ve skipped a few training weeks.  But, for the last two interval runs, my body started fighting me.  Everything hurt, my knees, my ankles, my calves.  I can fairly easily walk a couple miles and hardly break a sweat.  But, I quickly remembered that running is nothing like walking.  In the end I finished all of the 60 second run intervals, no cheating.  Week 1,  Day 1, 1.67 Miles, done….For those of you who follow my blog regularly, you know that I was dating a guy I called my “Special Friend.”  Because of hurt from the past, I was scared to open up.  I faced my fears, and allowed myself to enjoy the experience, since he truly is a good man.  Soon after, he told me he felt that I was “too emotionally involved, too soon.”  And, I got hit with “we should be friends.”  But, here’s the weird part.  We still talk on the phone every day and text like actual “friends.”  I even inspired him to do a half marathon and he wants to train with me. Do I regret facing my relationship fears and opening myself up? Nope, not at all.  I think I would feel bad, if I never gave us a fair shot.  Do you think it’s possible to remain “just friends” with someone that you dated for a month? What are your thoughts?

A Can of Biscuits

Lately, I look and feel like a popped can of biscuits.  Just spilling out through my clothes.  So, I decided something had to be done.  I want to get back to basics.  Of course you know I struggle with food regardless of what plan I’m on, but I’ve had great success with running and training for endurance events.  After all, my site is about running and inspiring others to do so.  5K’s are kind of like “been there done that”… it’s really not exciting enough to motivate me anymore.  So….guess what?? I signed up for the GO St. Louis Half Marathon in April 2012.  13.1 Miles! 

And, because I know myself well enough to know that I would train for a month and get lazy, I planned ahead and signed up for Team in Training again.  Team in Training is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and they raise money to assist blood cancer patients, and raise funds to find cures for all forms of cancer.  When I sign my name on the dotted line, I get to train with the team for the next 5 months and raise at least $1,000 for the cause.  The fundraising contract I signed and the quest to cure cancer is certainly enough to light my fire!  I’m excited.  I had such a great experience last time.  I’m not sure what goals I want to set, because I’ve gained weight, and I need to see what my body will physically allow me to do first.  But, I need you to help me get a head start.  Please help me and help TNT by donating to the cause!  Here We go Again!!

My Official Plea: Running Into Shape Fundraising Page

I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I’m asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/spirit12/finishthisrace

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress.  You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.  You can also send a donation through mail to my PO Box,

Running Into Shape, PO Box 77126, St. Louis, MO 63177

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers.  I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

 On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support.  I greatly appreciate your generosity.

 Thank you!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/spirit12/finishthisrace