Hi there!

First of all, thank you for the kind, kind comments regarding my picture on Thursday.  They all made me feel wonderful!  It makes me think I should update my blog header even more (thanks for the suggestion, Paula!).  I am wearing another white shirt today, but I'll spare you the details because it's a boring polo shirt with my company's logo on the front.  I call it "sporting my school spirit". 

Anyway, I weighed in this morning and wouldn't you know it I weighed over 5 pounds more than I did yesterday!  And yesterday was significantly lower than last Monday's weight.  I'm assuming it was the popcorn (salt) I ate before bed, but instead of focusing on it too much, I'm going to let it go and not record my weight today.  I absolutely cannot stand the effects that salt has on my weight loss (or gain, as the case actually is!)

I wanted to update you on my caffeine/fluid reduction project.  It has now been two weeks since I started this plan and while the reduction part is going fine, the results of it are disappointing.  I cut down to 2 cups of coffee the first three days and then cut down to one.  I am still at one, but this down from 5-7 a day is a huge change.  I also try and only drink 64 ounces of water each day unless I'm super thirsty, and I cut off the liquids around 7pm.  So all that is good.

I'm not keeping a log or anything, but I'm sure that I am in the bathroom just as much, and I am now resigned to the fact that I'll probably log too much time in the porta-potties during my half marathon.  Last Saturday I went for my scheduled 55 minute run and had to come home at the halfway mark to pee!  And it's not like I have to go so bad that I'm dying, it's more that I know if I have to go the stress of running with anything in my bladder will lead to problems, especially if I run any downhills!  It's truly and completely irritating! 

I also don't know if I see a difference in how I feel without the caffeine.  Yesterday I would have said no difference at all, however, this morning made me think I do wake up a little more alert.  Last night I could not get to sleep.  For one, I just wasn't comfortable, and for two, I had to pee too many times (drank too much water after dinner).  When I finally did get to sleep I was awakened a few times in the night, again, to pee.  Arrrgh!  So when my alarm went off at 5:40 I hit snooze.  Then again at 5:49.  Then I turned it off at 5:58 resolved to sleep for another two hours.  But as I laid there I realized that I wasn't all that tired despite my late night and interrupted sleep.  So after about 5 more minutes I got up and headed out for my 35 minute run.  I guess I thought I would be tired so when my alarm when off I told myself I was, but as I thought about it longer I realized I could get up.  A fluke?  I don't know.  Of course reminding myself how I'd have to be running at 9pm if I didn't get up then might have motivated me a little too. 

Anyway, I'm not quitting my project and will continue.  One advantage to limiting caffeine is that I don't have to worry about a caffeine headache.  One thing about morning runs and morning races is that I don't want to drink coffee beforehand to avoid as much liquid as possible, but then I usually end up with a headache if I go too long without.  Not having to worry about such things is definitely a positive side effect of this project.  Although I still miss my coffee.  Coffee in the morning, coffee in the evening, coffee all day long. 

One other quick note, I changed my training schedule just a bit to allow for a rest day this Saturday instead of a long run.  I realized that since I'm running a 5K event on Sunday, I'd rather rest the day before so I switched around my running days this week.  I want to run strong in the 5K race because this particular event was my first one last year so it's kind of a milestone of sorts.  It's been a fun year since that first event and I can't wait to run it again!

TMI - It's Here to Stay

Good morning and happy Monday!

This morning I had my first official training run, gosh it was fun to mark it off the list, and now I start my plan to go caffeine free.  What?  Have I gone insane?  No and I'll explain.

I have been consulting my favorite physician, Dr. Google, about my bladder issues (overactive bladder, stress incontinence).  I'm concerned about running 13.1 miles and having to stop and use a porta-potty, or worse, not being able to make it to one.  I'm going to make some changes during the next few weeks to see if it helps the situation.  If I don't see any improvement, I'll be calling up a real doctor.  If I do see improvement, well, I might still call up a real doctor.   Time will tell. 

Up first is the plan to go caffeine free.  Now, this is very difficult for me because I LOVE coffee.  But I love running (without peeing) more than coffee so with that in mind, I embrace this plan.  Today I had two cups of regular coffee (my usual is at least 5) and then switched to decaf.  Decaf is fine, but not as lovely, so I don't see myself drinking much of it.  It's more to help with my habit of always having coffee on my desk.  Tomorrow I'll have two cups regular, but then Wednesday I will go down to one.  By Saturday or Sunday I plan to have zero.  Coffee is really all the caffeine that I consume these days, although I also love me some Diet Coke, but I hardly ever have it.  I can always buy some caff-free if I really want it.

Up second on the plan is to decrease the liquids I consume overall.  I drink a TON of water.  I have a water bottle that holds 26 ounces and I will easily fill it 5 times per day, more if I am up late.  I think I probably do it more out of habit than actual thirst and that makes my bladder work overtime.  Instead of mindlessly drinking all day long, I plan to try and tune into my body's signals and drink when I am thirsty.  Of course I still plan to get in my 48-64oz, but anything beyond that will only be when I'm absolutely thirsty.  Cutting back coffee will decrease the overall amount of fluids too.  I also plan to stop drinking anything past 7:00 p.m.  Hopefully this will help me sleep through the night without having to get up to pee!  Last night I was up 3 times!

Up third is to start practicing kegel exercises (sorry TMI).  Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is important in my situation.  Having a large baby, coupled with being obese for several years has not done this area any favors.  So I will consciously make time for these exercises everyday, more than once a day.

I am sharing this on my blog because I know I'm not the only female runner who experiences these issues.  It's not fun, it's rather embarrassing, but it's also a fact of my life.  If I can help anyone else who might be in a similar situation, I'll go ahead with the TMI on my blog.  Hopefully no one is offended.