I have been procrastinating starting the Spring Forward Challenge since Bill first posted about it...I anxiously awaited the announcement of the game, counted down until the announcement in fact, and then...did......nothing. "I'll start it next Monday".

I was afraid to start another challenge.  I have started so many before and never completed a single one.  I didn't want to fail again.  I didn't want to start something I wouldn't finish.  I didn't want to be disappointed with my results...I didn't want to have to commit to change.  I almost went to go build my ant farm.

But today, I finally officially started my Spring Forward Challenge!  It feels great to stop thinking and start doing!!! :)  I'm crossing the abyss! Watch out!

I finally said YES!!!!! I accept! Count me in!  I'm giving it 110% baby and not settling for less than my best :)   Bill- you challenged me to reach into my heart and soul and find the energy, the strength, the inspiration, the FIRE to take it to the next level- to not settle for good enough- to instead GO FOR GREAT! And that is what I'm doing!!! Here I am, RIGHT NOW, making the powerful decision to transform my body and life. 

After making the commitment this morning I had a great first day.  It wasn't perfect, but if I was already doing everything perfectly then I wouldn't be doing this challenge.

WORKOUT:

About 2 weeks ago I realized that I have the perfect 5/25 workout right in my backyard...it is a beautiful interval circuit designed by God :)  The field next to my house takes about 5 minutes to run one lap- 2 minutes uphill (HARD!), 2 minutes across the top of the field (pretty level), 1 minute down the hill and back to the start.  No, it isn't 5/25 exactly as written by Bill...but it just feels right!  

Reasons I LOVE this workout:

1. My dogs come with me (Finn and Faye) and they LOVE it! And I love making them happy :)

2. It is right in my backyard! It's so convenient, even if I get home late

3. I don't need a gym, equipment, or anything at all to do it.  It is sustainable exercise, I can see myself keeping it up long term.

4. It makes Finn and Faye tired and tired puppies are good puppies! ;)

5. It is beautiful

6. There is just something about running on the grass in that field that makes me feel good.  It is totally different than running on the road.  I feel blessed to be running on land that we own.  There is a different spiritual connection running out there. It's good for the soul!

7. It is great for training for the Tough Mudder (more about that later!)

8. I get to wear my sweet new Tough Mudder shoes :) 

9. It totally, totally kicks my butt. In 25 minutes (or less!)

10. I feel like I challenged myself and succeeded after I do it! Great feeling!

Notes on today's workout:  Last week we had some freak March weather..It was in the 70s and even 80! In MARCH! IN NY!!!! It was amazing! Today, it was back to regular March weather and was only 32 out and felt like 22 with wind chill...very windy, very cold! :( My lungs were BURNING!!!  I think the drastic change in temp made it harder.  Lap 1 felt really hard, lap 2 felt hard, lap 3 felt the best, lap 4 I didn't want to keep going my legs were tired, lap 5...lap 5 I had an internal battle.  Old self vs. New self.  Old self wanted to quit, to give up, to say that 4 laps was good enough and more than I've been doing so why bother doing another lap?! New self, you know, the determined motivated one, said we had to keep going!  I just kept telling myself that I AM the Spring Forward Champion...would a champion quit? NO.  A champion would keep going- and I AM a champion!  Would I quit running if there was $10K at the top of the hill?!  NO! Could I keep going up the hill a little faster if it meant a trip to Colorado and to meet Bill Phillips? heck yeah!  Halfway up the hill on Lap 5 I found another gear and powered all the way up to the top! That's right! I actually increased speed on the last lap :) I give the effort a "9", next time I will try to hit a genuine "10"!  When I got done my legs and glutes felt like jello, my arms were tired from pumping, and did I already mention my lungs were BURNING!?!!!  But I pretty much felt amazing!  Great workout! (Did workout at 6pm)

Food for today:

Breakfast: Ezekiel english muffin and 2 tbsp. natural peanut butter, 2 bottles water

Snack: 1/2 cup coffee with half and half and sugar free syrup

Lunch: leftover grilled sirloin kabobs with veggies & water

Snack: diet soda

Dinner: grilled lean cheeseburger on wheat and 1 serving chips & water

Notes on food:  Today's meals have room for improvement.  I didn't have snacks/small meals planned out and available and turned to caffeine instead of real nutrition.  I believe this affected my workout and is why I had a hard time powering through the last 2 laps.  I need to drink more water.  I did good today not having any sugar, that is hard for me :)  At dinner my husband was eating chips and I gave in and had a few...I'm proud that I kept it to a small portion, that is a mini-success...I didn't eat the whole bag.  

All in all it was a great day 1!  I feel like I have so much to share about where I've come from and where I'm going...it is a good feeling to be writing it all down!  I can't wait to get the rest of my thoughts out of my head and share them with you!