The stuff they don't tell you about running...

I love running.
I really do.
I love pounding the pavement and not thinking about a damn thing.

I love the feeling of accomplishment when I finish. #runnershigh
I love pushing myself to run faster and get a new PR.
I love the weight loss effects I get from it.
I love all the fun races that are out there to participate in.  

But, to be honest, there are some things I don't love about it...
I don't love that I'm poor and can't afford all the races I really want to do. #nowacceptingsponsors
I don't love all the cost that can go into all the necessary running gear. (yes, it is really all necessary)
And most of all, I don't love the injuries and aches and pains that can come along with running.

Before I got fitted for my first pair of "legit" running shoes (hey Brooks, hey!!!!), I was dealing with knee pain and shin splints.
It was almost like they magically went away the second I laced those Brooks up.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 - my current pair of running shoes

Until now...
I'm working on about 350-400 miles worth of wear and tear on those puppies.

(I've heard from runners/read on different running sites that you should change out your running shoes anywhere from every 350 to 500 miles)

Couple that with hip/knee pain since the half marathon.

(aka the H.A.F. - that many hills and inadequate training for them can do a number on you.)

I've been hurtin' for certain!

It's been a slow process getting back into running since my half.
Did y'all know that if you don't stretch and strengthen your hips, it affects your knees?
I went for a massage awhile ago and came up off the table when she touched my hip.
It was super tender and I couldn't handle it!
The masseuse asked me if I was having knee pain when running and explained that I would if I didn't stretch my hips properly.
I stretch before and after every run.
These are my two favorite hip stretches.

I'm still considering going back to the masseuse to get it worked on (although I dread it cos the pain from the tenderness is really unbearable when massaged!!)
Or I'm considering getting an adjustment from a chiropracter/physical therapist.

For now, I am trying yoga.
I found out one of the runners in the running group here in my area teaches a FREE yoga class on Monday nights!
The teacher is dealing with the same knee/hip pain and says yoga and other stretches have really helped her.
I'd never done yoga before but I went Monday night and really enjoyed it!
And my 3 mile run on Tuesday was the first time I ran since the H.A.F. without excruciating knee pain!
So, I will continue to go to the yoga class in hopes it only helps and makes it better.

I'm also dealing with some slight pain in the arches of my feet.
That pain isn't unbearable...more like a slight annoyance.
I'm finding that my super cute heels and wedges for work and fun aren't the best for my feet when it comes to go for a run.
But I'm not ready/dedicated to give up fashionably cute shoes for running...

Will I be pissed if I break my ankle in them or cause severe pain in my feet?
Um, hell yes.
But I'm just not willing to part with them!

So, the hubs is taking off work early and we're headed an hour and a half south to Raleigh, NC this afternoon for some family fun!
I'm most excited about hitting up Fleet Feet so I can get re-fitted for a new pair of running shoes!
Stay tuned for what pair I get!
(And most likely, see them first on Instagram @kbeavtann)

This post is not intended to deter anyone away from running.
Like I said, even amidst the not-so-pleasantries of running, I'm hooked.
I can't stop.
I won't stop.
Some days are not as great as others.
But it's always worth it!

Weigh - In Wednesday

For those of you who forgot...
I finished the 10 Day Advocare Cleanse last Thursday.
I was stoked to report that I weighed in at 152.

Today, I am not so stoked to report I weighed in at 156.
I felt great after the cleanse and continued eating pretty clean up until Saturday at about 6:30 pm.

The concert we went to on Saturday was a little over 2 hours away.
We left a little early so I could stop by a Dick's sporting goods store to get my "13.1" car magnet.

I then perused the store for a little bit.
Well, actually longer than I thought...

(Someone please tell me why I couldn't find compression socks anywhere nor an associate to tell me if they had any. And trying to decide on whether or not to get a foam roller...already regretting the decision not to.)

Ok, ok...you're right. I'm stalling from telling you why/how I ate so crappy.

Add in a longer than expected stay at Dick's plus awful traffic to get to the arena and we're chowing down on some overpriced soft pretzels (Um, duh, cashier teen, of course I want mine salted!), and a chicken tender combo. (But, I shared that with the hubs...)

Not to mention a few beers later that led to a 12 am Sheetz run!

Enter Sunday and a slight beer bloated hangover and I'm eating anything and everything in sight.

All day long.

I may or may not have raided my mother-in-law's stash of candy for the Easter Egg Hunt she does at her church.

I only grabbed a handful of those mini Twix.

And maybe a handful of mini Snickers. 

And maybe a handful of mini Kit Kats.

What?!?!?! They were mini...

And I haven't stopped eating awful shit since.

Playdate chips and dips and pizza and cake? Yes, please!

12-year-old cousin's birthday cake and ic cream? Sure!

Ugh! Why can't I seem to remind myself how shitty all this crap food makes me feel when I'm forking it into my mouth?

The problem is, I don't want to continue eating this badly, but in the back of my mind I know I'm thinking,

"eh, Easter is this Sunday and I already know I'll do piss poor on that day, so why bother these next couple days until then?!?"

Who the eff does that?!?

This girl right here, folks.

I don't like the sluggish and blah feeling.

My tummy really hates me when I do this.

But I know I don't feel entirely motivated to really kick it into high gear until after Easter's over.

Well, ain't that just a bitch, Kyra?!?!

On a good note, I did lift weights/leg work Sunday night, yoga Monday night and ran Tuesday.

Can I get some bonus points at least?!?!

Sweet Lord Baby Jesus!!

Pray for me, ya'll!

I need to sucker punch my inner fat girl the rest of this week!

Tutorial Tuesdays and Happenings

Hey y'all hey!!

You may notice my bliggity blog looks a little different.
Not to toot Hubby Jack's horn, but
TOOT TOOT M-Fer!!

Now, before you start thinking,
"I mean, it looks nice, but I'm not super impressed with his work..."
Don't even go there.
HJ didn't touch my blog.
I was all set up on his March list for him to Pimp My Blog
But some things, financially fell through on my end and had to cancel.
So rather than sit home, cry and down some festive spring-esque Zebra cakes...
I  psychotically stalked went back to Hubby Jack's previous "Tutorial Tuesday" posts and got to it.
Straight up redecorating style.

Here's where the "tooting" comes in...
Everything I did was SUPER easy.
Not because I'm the smartest person alive...
But because Chris is seriously a great teacher.
His tutorials were incredibly explained with screen shots to help.
(Read: His explanations were dumbed down so people like me could understand!) 

I started out creating some pages that you can see at the top.
Not all of them are filled out, but you can see my weight loss journey, recent races I've run as well as races I'm signed up to run, personal running records, and the start of my bucket list!

I then went on to creating my button.

Go ahead over there on your left and grab you one for your page! ;)

Moving on to my picture and blurb!
I'm really happy with how it turned out!

And then, lastly, just kind of cleaning things up on the sidebars and ultimately condensing all the jazz to one side!
I hope you all likey and seriously....MAD PROPS to Mr. HJ for the incredible tutorials!

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As you all know from my post on Friday or from Instagram (@kbeavtann), I went to a Luke Bryan concert Saturday night.

Yeah, I'm obsessed.
But hey, he was checking me out too!

I'm just gonna share one video with y'all.
(Even though I have about 7 from that night!)
I love when singers cover songs.
Especially songs from a different genre than they sing.
Especially songs that are 2 of my favorite running songs.
Here is Luke with his two opening acts, Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square covering Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars:

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I was gonna do Jake and Holly's Link-up but I'm already super late posting this and I know homegirl could take a few hours just trying to think of an answer to all the questions.

And seeing as how it's about that time for my afternoon run, I must be off.

Mama NEEDS to run since I've seriously not stopped eating since Sunday...but more on that for Weigh In Wednesday tomorrow.

(It may not be pretty. #justsaying)

Let me just end with the reason I'm so late in getting this post up today...

We had a playdate this morning.
They had an Easter egg hunt...in one of the mommy's living rooms!
(Damn Spring, where are you?!?!)
Royce and I both love a playdate!
We need them more in our life!!

Free Pass Friday

Thank you all so much for your kind words from my post yesterday.
That 10th grade picture is one I've wished I could burn all copies of.
But I'm learning to appreciate that before pic...cos it shows just how far I've come!
Anyway, y'all are just too sweet, so to reward/thank you today, I am bringing you a HEALTHY does of Man Candy.

The hubs and I are going to a Luke Bryan concert tomorrow!!

To say I'm absolutely wetting my panties stoked would be an understatement!!

Last time Luke (otherwise known as my baby daddy) and I "saw" each other was on girl's trip in VA Beach last August.

Yes, it's true...he saw me when I looked a hot mess!
But this year, he'll see me when I'm all like:

Ok, so this was my picture from yesterday.
My outfit will be different...think country chic
Ok, and a "few" beers, so I'll really just be a thinner hot mess!
(oh, don't you worry your pretty little head, I'll most likely be blastin' IG tomorrow night @kbeavtann)

Ahh, yes swooning over Luke Bryan is much more fun with a group of ladies, but this go 'round, I'm doing it with the hubs if he's lucky.
He says he's mostly interested in Florida Georgia Line opening for Lukey-poo.
Don't get me wrong, he likes Luke Bryan's music, but I think he's mainly just going to make sure nothing happens with me and Luke...know what I mean?!?! ;)

Luke (gawd, I love how we're on a first name basis!) is most definitely my number one "Free Hall Pass"
Oh good Lord, the things I'd do to that piece of sex on a stick.

I know we all have different tastes and LB may not be your cup of tea.

In that case, I don't know if we can be friends.
Nah, I'm totally kidding.
We can still be friends. but you're completely wrong
Agree to disagree, right?!? you're still wrong.

So, for you now, my beauts, I leave you with all the Luke Bryan pics and ecards you didn't ask for.

I completely need this for ALL races

I'm not much on hunting, but even holding a dead dear's antlers he's still sexy as SHIT

My favorite...even though part of it's cut off...you get the idea!

Just a girl that used to be fat, then thin, then fat, then thin...

Hi friends! Old and New!
I am seriously so happy to have each and every one of you!

I am hoping to sit down and follow Hubby Jack's tutorials on how to Pimp My Blog very soon.
Including creating page tabs at the top so you can find such info as About Me
But since I've slacked on that to this point, I'm gonna give you a quick recap of how I got here today.

From about 4th grade - 10th grade I was fat.
I'm talking well over 200 pounds at my highest.
I lost a slew of weight my junior-senior years of high school (2000-2001) just by learning portion control.
Seriously....that's all.
It was through a program at my church called "The Weigh Down Workshop"

10th grade year book pic. Sweet bangs, Kyra!

Senior pic

 I fluctuated through college (who doesnt?!?)
 But my lowest ever weight was 132 in 2003.

From about 2004-2007 I stayed between 140-150 pounds.

In 2007, I started dating (my now-husband) Michael.
2008 I gained a lot of weight.
Almost tipping the scale at 200.
I had heard that sometimes being in love causes weight gain...
But 50 pounds in a year is A LOT of love!

I had a regular check-up doctor visit and they commented on my rapid weight gain in a year and wanted to take some blood to check my thyroid.
Sure enough, I had Hypothyroidism.
This affects your metabolism, causing it to not work as fast and as effectively.
I was glad to have a "medical condition" that aided in the weight gain.
That way, it wasn't my fault, right?!?!
(Cause it had nothing to do with eating whatever the hell I wanted and not working out at all!) 
I got on medication for it and I also got a gym membership.
September of 2009 brought our engagement, so that motivated me even more to workout!

May 2010 I was 137 for my brother's wedding.

 With my beautiful, Sissybabes

But, with wedding planning and wedding stress, I was probably 140-145 by my wedding date of June 19, 2010

Fast forward 6-7 months and we find out I'm pregnant!
Fast forward (although it's really not that fast!) and I'm weighing in at 202 pounds, 9 months pregnant

Royce was born on September, 22, 2011.
Just having a baby, no time to eat and post-partum depression all do wonders for weight loss.
By Halloween I was down to 176.
Then, my depression meds and getting the hang of mommy-hood kicked in and I was teetering anywhere from 190-200 pounds from November 2011 - July 2012.

By July 2012, Royce was 9 months old.
I'd heard countless times when I'd complain about my weight, "It takes 9 months to put on that weight [with a baby], it'll take 9 months to come off."
Hence, my blog name!

Well, it was past 9 months and I was still fat.
I remember reading Mama Laughlin's blog after finding it through Pinterest.
I stayed up way too late one night reading a ton of her posts.
She had a post about how she knew how it felt to be sad about your weight and how you look.
But how she also knew how it felt to drop the weight.
(I searched and searched her page for that post and cannot find it to link it up here. sorry!)
I sat there crying as I read it and it lit a fire under my ass.
I printed it out and hung it up on my fridge.
Where it still is today!

I was ready to start my own blog so I could be held accountable to lose the weight.

July 11, 2012 was my very first post letting the blog world know why I was here.
And the very next day, July 12, 2012 I posted my beginning weight of 190 and my before pic.

I didn't really have a game plan going into it.
I was going to clean up my eating and I signed up for My Fitness Pal (@kyratanner)
I started out walking while pushing my son in his stroller.

I talked about how I might start running.
And kind of on a whim, I started the C25K around the beginning of August.

Fast forward, and I just ran my first ever H.A.F. (Hilly As Fuck) Marathon 2 weeks ago!

From 190 pounds to running my first Half Mary in 7 months...how freaking crazy is that?!?

And that's basically how I lost about 30-35 pounds.
Eating healthy and running like a boss.
Check out my PR's (Personal Records) on different run distances on the left!

Immediately after completing the H.A.F. I started the 10-day Advocare Cleanse.

(I won't mention that I had gained about 4 pounds being back home in PA for a week....WHAT!?!?! I was carb loading!!)

For 10 days, I ate squeaky clean as well as took the supplements that come with the Advocare program.
I already posted what I ate as well as some brief thoughts and feelings about the cleanse that you can read here and here.

I do have to admit, now that my sinus/cold stuff is mostly gone, I do feel pretty fantastic!
Energized. No "slumpy" feeling. Ready to go.
I also feel "smaller".

But let's see what the the stats say about that...
                            Before                            After
Weight:               159 lbs                          152 lbs {loss of 7 lbs}
Arms:                   13"                               12 1/2" {loss of 1/2"}
Chest:                 36 1/2"                             36" {loss of 1/2"}
Waist:                   36"                                 35" {loss of 1"}
Hips:                    38"                               37 1/2" {loss of 1/2"}
Thighs:               23 1/2"                              23" {loss of 1/2"}

7 pounds and 3 inches in 10 days?!?!
I'll take it.

I promise I'll get my photographer to take a better pic of me soon!!

So there you have it folks, since starting this journey in July 2012, I've lost 38 pounds!

Thanks to those of you that have been around awhile and continue to encourage me every day.
And I'm excited to have all of you newcomers to be even more encouraged by!

I'm thinking giveaway when I get to 100 followers!
Perhaps a few of my favorite things...
Spread the word!

And lastly, if you're new around these parts, please leave me a comment so I can get to know you! :)

Happy Thursday!!!!