Athleta Iron Girl 10K - Seattle

In the midst of it all, I have completed another 10K race.  On 9/11/11, I ran the Athleta Iron Girl 10K in Seattle. This race was slow and steady and very easy.  The best part was running with my bestest friend in the world, Joanna.

The race was in Seattle so I had to make another trek across the state, alone.  But it's all good, I had my tunes with me.  (Are you surprised that my iPhone cover is not purple?)

The wind turbines along I-90 before and after Ellensburg always amaze me.

I arrived in Seattle on Saturday about 5:30 after stopping at the Factory Outlets in North Bend for a new Coach purse.

We promptly left for Alki Beach where we enjoyed some carbs on the sand and watched the sunset.  It was gorgeous.

We got back to the house around 10:00 p.m. and planned to go straight to bed.  I spent the next half hour texting with my husband and organizing my race gear.  Just as I closed the door to head to bed, I noticed I was not alone. 

Seriously, I am afraid of spiders, I've mentioned this before.  Usually I tell myself I just don't like them, but I was reminded that I am actually afraid of them.  I could not kill this thing and I was shaking with fear.  Luckily it wasn't moving, it was just hanging out in the corner.  I was texting my husband who was trying to coach me through killing it, but I could not do it.  My friend's husband was out having dinner with some family and I kept wishing for him to get home.  Finally, about 40 minutes after the original spotting of the beast, just as I was about to put on my shoes and socks (and headphones, I can't hear any crunching of bugs) to head into battle, the husband arrived.  My hero!  And would you believe he picked the thing up with his BARE HANDS and proceeded to talk to me for 20 minutes holding it in his hand?!  I was freaking out!  I cannot even imagine touching a spider, ewwww!!  Anyway, I finally went to bed at midnight and my alarm was set for 5:30 a.m.

Long about 3:30 a.m. I woke up.  Wide awake.  And I could not go back to sleep for anything.  Pre-race nerves again!  I passed the time by reading blogs on my iPhone and listening to music.  Finally it was time to actually get up, get dressed, eat the usual pre-race breakfast (English muffin, peanut butter, banana, and one cup of coffee) and then we were off.

The Athleta Iron Girl 10K was being held at Greenlake Park.  Greenlake is a beautiful lake that is surrounded by a paved trail that is approximately 3 miles long.  It's a popular place for the locals to get their run or walk on.  I was a little concerned about how the crowd would be managed on the trail.  I remembered the half marathon which was also on a paved trail that was way to narrow for all the runners, and the local people just out for their Sunday run or walk were kind of annoyed.  For this event, I was happily surprised to see that we would be running mostly on the road surrounding the lake- not as narrow as the trail and not displacing the locals.

We quickly picked up our packets and then walked around the expo.  Neither of us found anything we couldn't live without so we made our way back to the car to drop off our bags before the race started.  Then the fun began: the line for the bathroom.  It was clear we would not make it through the line.  They had a lot of toilets, but there were also a lot of women and the line was so long!  I had seen a Starbucks across the street so we decided to head over there.  The line was incredibly long there too, but seemed more manageable.  As we were standing there, we saw some people fiddling with the timing tags on their shoes.  TIMING TAGS!  We totally forgot to put them on.  Joanna offered to run back to the car and get them and I stayed in the line.  She returned fairly quickly and we affixed the tags.  If looks could kill, we would be dead because the girl behind us in line was not happy that Joanna came back and took her place in line.  Tough!

Finally we made our way through the line and then made our way back to the race start and lined up.  We lined up between the 10:00-11:00 minute pace markers.  My plan going into this race was to stay together and have fun.  Of course I wanted to beat my last 10K time which was 1:09 and some seconds, but if I didn't, I was okay with that too.  It wasn't the same course as my last 10K and for me, a true PR is a faster time on the same course. 

The countdown to the start began and we were off.  We took off slow and steady.  The crowd was pretty tight in the beginning and I was seriously annoyed that people were walking!  Why oh why can't people be courteous and line up where they should if they are a walker?  Oh well, we made our way around those people and it was fairly smooth running from then on.  Greenlake is so pretty and the course was very flat.  When we completed our first loop, it was a little disheartening to think we had to run the same way again.  I don't love repeat loops or out and backs, but I waved to the finish line and kept running.

Garmin and it was 1:08 or so.  I felt great and was happy with that time.  Once across the finish line we picked up our medals and grabbed some water bottles which were ice cold and wonderful!!  We made our way through the breakfast line which turned out to be a yogurt, Fuze drink, and breakfast burrito which was kinda nasty.  They also gave us some Muscle Milk and Ironman drink.  I only drank water, though.  Great Harvest Bread Co. was one of the sponsors and they had wonderful wheat rolls. I could have eaten about 20 of them!   

We had lots of fun with this race. We tried to smile and wave at all the photographers and just enjoyed the run.  The event was very well organized with plenty of swag and water. They even had a table set up where you could get a printout of your official results-usually I have to wait for the official results to appear online.  My time was 1:07:24 and Joanna's was 1:07:25, but I could swear she crossed the finish line first (see next photo).  The finisher's medal is simply awesome and such a nice treat at a 10K. Awards were also given to the first three finishers in each age group which was so nice.  There were winners ranging in age from about 11 up to 82!

10K is officially my favorite distance.  It's a challenge, but you don't have to spend hours and hours training.  The race itself is fast and you walk away feeling like you've accomplished a great thing.  I couldn't have been happier to complete this race with Joanna. My favorite event to date!

Where is this blog going?

I think this blog may have run its course and I am having one of those "where do I go from here?" moments with it.  I don't feel like I'm ready to go, exactly, but I definitely feel like I haven't had much to contribute to this awesome community lately.

I continue to gain weight.  It was lose, gain, lose, gain, lose, but now I'm just on a gain, gain cycle.  At least for the past couple of weeks anyway.

I should probably recap August.  My goals were to lose 10 pounds and run 70 miles.  I actually did pretty well.  I lost 4 pounds and I ran 67.45 miles, and I honestly feel like that was a success.

But as of today, 9/15, I am 7 pounds heavier than I was on 8/31.  I'm truly not obsessed with the number, but I have the weight history at my fingertips thanks to my handy iPhone.  I don't sit and stare at the numbers all the time, or anything.  But just know that these days I am thinking of the numbers constantly.  CONSTANTLY.  On my way to the fridge and back, especially.

Tomorrow I'm doing something I thought I would never do again in this life time.  I'm going to a Weight Watchers meeting.  A real, live meeting with the old bitties themselves.  I actually bought the WW monthly pass as they are running a special where instead of the regular $39.95 monthly fee, you can pay $43.25 for two months.  Two months is what I'm going to give it.  I already pay $16.95 a month for the online membership so this isn't too much more, and it will give me the opportunity to connect with others in real life.  I'm trying to have a positive attitude about that and hope for the best.

In related news, I rejoined the YMCA last week.  That is a really good thing and I'm excited about it.  I'm excited to try some different classes and use some of the different cardio machines besides the treadmill.  I like the elliptical a lot so far.  I'm happy to report that I've even been going before work!

I'm taking these steps to freshen things up and make some changes.  I need to do something to get back the fire and motivation that I had before.  I'm not sure what that will mean for my blog.  I'm not ready to say good bye because I'm not done yet.  But right now, I'm the last weight loss blogger you want to hear from.

Giving it up.

I've lost focus.

My "disordered eating" patterns have resurfaced a bit.

The "I'll start over tomorrow, Monday, next week" thoughts have been rearing their ugly faces.

I don't like it, but can I control it?

The answer should be yes, but can I do it alone?  Do I need Weight Watchers meetings? A gym membership? A swift kick in the ass? 

Or should I just try prayer?  I think I will.

I will give it to God.



My 37th birthday - August 28, 2011

Three Things Thursday

1. I watched the movie Country Strong this week and I LOVED it.  I'm currently obsessed with the soundtracks--yes, there are two, and I don't even love country music!  I'm also not ashamed to admit that I now have a huge crush on Garrett Hedlund after seeing this movie.  I actually think I might be a closet cowboy fan.  Oh, who am I kidding, I'm not in the closet!

2. I did not meet my time goal for my run last night.  If you'll recall my goal was 19 minutes for 2 miles, but instead I finished in 19:46.  I am not defeated, though!!  I will try again soon.  Last night I was on the treadmil, next time I will head outside.

3. I am working on putting together a fun giveaway.  A few things have to happen before I announce it, but it's coming together and should happen in the next couple of weeks. 

Control

Yesterday was a day in control and I went to bed feeling GREAT!  I managed my food, even included a lunch out of the office, and then managed to stay satisfied into the evening without eating large amounts of CRAP.  I woke up feeling thin!  As in my stomach didn't feel so overloaded and bloated, and that is a wonderful feeling.

I ran 4.25 miles on the treadmill after work.  I have a plan this week to run 5 days in a row, something I've never done.  My mileage plan for the five days is 3.1, 4, 2, 3.1, and 5-6.  The first two days have gone according to plan and even included a little extra!  I like to go out with a number in mind and then exceed it by just a little to keep myself challenged.

Today I plan a quick 2 miles.  Usual pace has been around 10:20-10:45/mile, but I'm hoping to run 2 miles in 19 minutes or less.  Wish me luck!

If I was a Smurf, I'd be Fickle Smurf.

Remember this post, about how I was saying good-bye to Weight Watchers?  Yeah, that was just last Thursday.  And today, Tuesday, I reactivated my account.  Apparently I'm not ready to sever our relationship.  I'm not sure why.  I feel like it would be so much easier just to count calories, yet I feel like I want to succeed with WW.  I started this journey with WW and it seems like I should finish it with WW. 

As of today I am just over 10 pounds above the lowest weight I've seen on this journey.  And that freaks me out!  I mean, it scares the daylights out of me.  How how how can I have gained 10 pounds when my workouts have been consistent?  Answer: eating too much!  Obviously, right?!  Well, why can't I get it together and knock it off?!  Honestly, I don't know what isn't clicking in the food department these days.

Each day I wake up with a new resolve.  I think about how I will plan my meals and stick to plan.  But inevitably something comes along and I'm derailed.  Sometimes it's a lunch out with coworkers, not too big a deal, but  usually it's something more detrimental, like a big dish of froyo (with toppings) after my Points are already gone for the day, or a bunch of chips, or possibly some popcorn followed up with a few (yes, a few) granola bars.  These choices are costing me and I simply cannot do it anymore.  If I regain the weight I've lost I will surely go crazy.  I cannot go back to that place.

So as fickle is as fickle does, I'm thinking about recanting this decision too.  I really think I want a gym membership again, and I really think I want to go to the gym for some group fitness classes; however, my husband still isn't working and we are facing the end of the unemployment very soon.  If we reach that point, unfortunately we will have to file for bankruptcy.  Remember this?  Yeah, we've been paying the bills, but when the bills exceed the income what else can you do?  Anyway, I'm not sure a gym membership can fit into the new single income budget.  Although an investment into health can be a wonderful thing, right?  And if I went regularly, the cost could be justified.  But I would have to go in the morning, and how many times can I say I am not a morning person?  But I do prefer working out in the mornings and there are some awesome classes available in the morning.  So what do I do?  Luckily I can join without a contract, but I still have to pay the "joiner fee" which is $50, a fee I already paid once only to cancel the membership 7 months later.  $50 can buy a lot of froyo...oh wait, I'm supposed to be cutting that out.

Well, anyway, like sands through the hour glass, these are the decisions of my fickle life. 

Treadmill Run Fun

This morning I ran.  Before work.  Yes, I did it. 

My alarm was set for 6:00, I woke up at 5:30.  You better believe I stayed in bed awhile before getting up.

The conversation in bed went something like this:

Me: I don't want to get up.
Me: I don't feel like running.
Me: I don't want to go outside, I don't care how beautiful it is.
Me: Running is too hard first thing in the morning.
Me: I could run in the treadmill.  The treadmill has movies.
Me: I will run on the treadmill.
Me: I'm now getting up to run on the treadmill.

And so I did it.  And I actually really liked it.  Sometimes the treadmill is where it's at.

3.5 miles, 10:38 pace

An Open Letter to Weight Watchers

Dear Weight Watchers, or as I like to refer to you, "W.W.":

We've spent many years together, but as with many relationships sometimes it's okay to say good-bye and in our case, I think it's time for me to say it.  We've had a good run, from Exchanges to Winning Points, to Flex Points.  Unfortunately, your PointsPlus and me cannot seem to find a happy place together.  I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the new you, it's just that the old me cannot embrace this new you.  I don't want to relearn everything I already know.  I know that my breakfast is worth 6 Points, but now you're telling me it's worth 7 PointsPlus with or without the banana.  While I know bananas are healthy, I think eating one should cost me, or not eating on should benefit me.  Yes, I know a banana is a better choice over a 100 calorie pack of air, but the basic formula for weight loss will always apply.

As it is, I know these things and don't need you to tell me.  I don't need your complicated system in order to keep track of my foods.  I also don't need your system to tell me if I'm hungry or not.  Just because I might have available PointsPlus does not mean I need to use them, it does not mean I am still hungry.  But sometimes I get caught up in your numbers and seeing them makes me "feel" hungry even if I'm not.  Again the problem is not yours, it's mine.

I need to learn to live on my own as I do not plan to pay you $16.95 (or more) a month for the rest of my life.  Yeah, if Iim a lifetime member at my goal weight, I know I can attend your meetings for free, but your meetings are boring and full of old bitties who are just using you for their seniors day out.  I'm sorry there is nothing to be gained from them except what not to wear in old age.

So after all you've done for me, I'm saying good-bye.  I have learned from you, I have much to thank you for.  If not for our relationship which began when I was 14, I might have grown up not knowing the amount of calories in beer and wine.  I might have become a total boozer.  If I didn't know the benefits of exercise which activity exchanges and Points taught me, I might not have always carried the desire to be a runner.  You're still helping people and I will still recommend to my friends, but our time together has come to an end.  I don't know if it will be forever, but I really hope it is.  My life will no longer be lived according to your daily and weekly PointsPlus.  There will no longer be a "weight tracking day".  I shall be free to weigh whenever I want and start over everyday if I want.  I want the freedom.  I bid you adieu and wish you well. 

Take care.
Me

Twenty-Six Servings for One

Anyone familiar with these things?

On my way to the lake on Monday I had to make an unscheduled stop at Costco--definitely not a place to go when you're hungry.  Beings that it was right after work and lunch had been hours ago, I was hungry!  So against my better judgement, and I mean I really thought about whether I should buy them or just walk away, I bought the chips.  Then I proceeded to open the bag in the car, after all, I was hungry and had a 50 minute drive ahead.

Since Monday I have eaten lots of the chips.  This morning when I picked up the bag to pack up I realized there was very little left.  Out of curiosity I decided to check the number of servings in the bag, expecting it to be 12-15.  Um, no.  28!!!  And I kid you not there are probably only 2 servings left.   That means, I have managed to consume 26 servings of pita chips since Monday!

Let me break this down for you.  One serving of the chips is 4 PointsPlus.  Twenty-Six servings is 92 PointsPlus when eaten together, 104 PointsPlus otherwise.  That is seriously whack!  And I have no one to blame but me.

Get it together!

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 159.0
Current weight: 162.8
Gain/loss: +3.8
Total gain/loss: -74
Pounds to goal (136.8): 26
Pounds to mini goal (149): 13.8

You might notice the scale moved in the wrong direction again.  I'm seriously and completely down about this.  Yes, I did indulge some over the weekend, but to gain that much?  And I'm not even going to mention the lower numbers I saw on the scale last week.  During the week, I was actually rocking a loss for the week.  I'm discouraged.  It seems like my system is utterly sensitive to salt in which any amount of it causes every cell in my body to suck up all the water I've consumed (yet I still pee ALL THE DAMN TIME!)  It's frustrating!

As for my workouts, I reached my 15+ miles as of last night.  I crapped out and didn't run Saturday before leaving for the lake so I had to do it last night upon arriving home from the lake.  I also went out there again this morning for just under 4 miles.  We are heading to the lake again this weekend so I am hoping to get all my miles in by the end of Friday's run so I don't have to haul my running gear with me or plan a run for Sunday evening.  With my schedule this week it means I'll have to run Mon-Wed-Thurs-Friday which I don't love (three days in a row).  But I can do it if driven.  Where the strength training will fit in is unknown at this time.

I had the nicest comment on my blog Saturday which really made me feel good about sharing my journey with all of you.  But after such a craptastic week and another stupid gain, I feel guilty.  I want to be the person that inspires others, the person who succeeds.  After all, this is supposed to be a weight loss blog.  I know it's only me who is putting the pressure on me, but I know what it's like to read blogs where the author starts gravitating from what was supposed to be the whole point of the blog.  I don't want to be one of those bloggers who loses site of the finish line, who never quite does what they set out to do, and who starts floating along in limboland.  And I certainly don't want to waste anyone's time by blogging about limboland, including my own.  I need and want to keep moving forward for everyone, especially me! 

Sorry, this isn't a pity party; I'm just stating what many are probably thinking: she needs to get it together.

Get it together!

August: First week in review

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 162.6
Current weight: 159.0
Gain/loss: -3.6
Total gain/loss: -77.8
Pounds to goal (136.8): 22.2
Pounds to mini goal (149): 10

I do despise the scale sometimes.  Yesterday the scale said 156.6 and today 159!  I did eat salty pizza and breadsticks yesterday so I know that's what did it.  Pffft!  I didn't go over my weekly points, and I didn't use any of my activity points, so I had a successful week.  My official weight loss for the week is 3.6 pounds which is GREAT. 

My exercise for the week was really good.  I logged 15.08 miles of running and 3 miles of walking.  I also completed a little weight training, something I hope to do more of and write a separate post about.

Week one of my August is a success and I am really happy about it.  I have made peace with evening workouts for now.

Spokane Indians 8K Pennant Race Recap

This report is late because it took longer than a week for the official results to be posted. 

Anyway, this race was on July 23rd, just 6 days after my half marathon.  It was a race that I participated in last year so I knew the ropes, so to speak.  I checked the start time online and planned to arrive at 7:30 which would give me time to get my packet, use the potty, and then line up for the 8:00 start.  I was disappointed to find out it was the kids race which started at 8:00, and the 8K started at 8:30.  So I did what anyone else would do, I moved my car from a pay lot to a free lot, and then sat around waiting, after I peed, of course.

It was an absolutely beautiful day and the sunshine was wonderful.  It was fun to watch the kiddos take off on their run with Otto, the Indians Mascot, and Ronald McDonald.  (This race benefits the Ronald McDonald House.)  Waiting for the start really wasn't too bad.

When we lined up to start (quite a small group) I had the following thought: I just ran a half marathon so this 8K will be cake!  Then I started running.  And for some reason it really wasn't all that fun.  I missed Brandy, my running partner from the half, and I felt a little lonely.  Luckily this race route is on the Centennial Trail which follows the Spokane River so the scenery is quite beautiful.  I tried to focus on that instead of my boredom.

All in all this race went well except that I didn't feel super strong like I was hoping I would.  My legs actually felt really heavy, and I felt super slow.  I actually felt like was struggling around mile 3.  Yikes!  Luckily I kept running.  There was a fairly small turnout for this run and the paths weren't crowded which is really nice on an out and back course. The water stations were good and had plenty of water, and I also wore my hydration belt just in case.

 My time goal was to beat last year's time of 55:54, but I really wanted to run a sub 50.  I kept watching my Garmin time and all along I thought I would do it, until the last mile when I knew I better punch it or fall short.

So I punched it, at least I thought I did. In review of the mile splits later, there was really no punching at all.  All the same, by the time I reached finish line I was ready to stop.  And when I came upon the clock, I was disappointed to see 50:??.  I totally didn't catch the seconds and when I saw my official time last Monday of 50:04, I was still disappointed.  Yes, I beat my time from last year, but if I just could have shaved 1 measly second off each mile, I'd have made my goal of under 50 minutes.  Oh well, there's always next year, right?

The downside of this race was that I was there all by myself.  I showed up alone, I ran alone, and I went home alone.  I didn't even take the obligatory self photo because I didn't even think about it.  While I'm glad to have supported the Ronald McDonald House, it was a fairly lonely event.  And I could have gone out to run my own 8K in the neighborhood for a lot less hassle.  But I like having events on the schedule, so even though I had to go alone, it still feels good to have participated.

As a bonus, part of your fee includes a ticket to the Spokane Indians baseball game that same evening.  My family and I went to that which was a lot of fun, and really cool to see all the people wearing their race shirts!  I didn't wear mine, though, it's a hideous color of yellow!  The Indians lost the game, but there was a spectacular fireworks show after the game, and I love me some fireworks.

One final point: the winner of this race had a finish time of 25 minutes and some seconds.  He was honored at the game and received a prize.  A baseball bat.  I mean, that's it.  I'm not sure I'd have been happy with just a bat.

Buh-Bye July, Welcome August!!

I don't really want to rewind July because other than my half marathon (which was freaking awesome), the rest of the month in terms of my goals was not stellar.  And the scale shows it:

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 161.0
Current weight: 162.6
Gain/loss: +1.6
Total gain/loss: -74.2
Pounds to goal (136.8): 25.8
Pounds to mini goal (149): 13.6

(In my defense, the scale showed 160 this morning so that's 2.6 down from yesterday!  I'm sure it was the salt on Sunday again.  Too much salt = my enemy.)

Briefly, in July I ran 54.43 miles and gained 3 pounds.

But August is here and I have some goals.  First of all, August is my month!!  My birthday is in August and, therefore, I love August!  So it seems fitting that I set some big goals for August.  Setting goals, achieving goals, that's what I'm doing here.  Dur.

So I declare that in August, I want to lost 10 pounds from my August 1st weight.  August first I weighed 162.6 and today I weigh 160 so that means I'm already 2.6 pounds to my 10 pound goal.  I don't think a goal of 10 pounds for the month is too lofty at all!

My next goal for August is to run 70 miles.  That is also not too lofty in that I ran over 70 miles in June.  I actually have all my runs planned out for the month and I am really excited about it.  I am going back to a Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat running schedule with long runs on Friday.  I still have two 10K races on my schedule along with that little treadmill run on 11/11/11.  I want to keep running long runs to stay strong.  I might throw a tempo or interval run in there sometimes too.

So I think these goals are realistic, and I am excited about this month.  So let's get this party started.

See Jane Run Race Series (Seattle) Review

The See Jane Run series is one like no other.  I had not heard of this series until I went to the Bloomsday expo and they were handing out fliers for the upcoming Seattle event.  At the time I was still waffling over the idea of a half marathon, but I visited their website that same night and signed up for my first half marathon within 24 hours.

What drew me to this event was that it was organized by women for women.  Chocolate and champagne at the finish?  That sounded like so much fun.  I thought it would be a great run for my first half.  A smaller event was more inviting to me than one of the big ones like the Rock and Roll series, although the RnR sounds fun, too.  But just read Jane's manifesto and tell me this doesn't sound like a great event series.

I really loved this event and am so glad that I chose this for my first half marathon.  The organizers really know how to cater to women and have a great time.  If you're considering the SJR series in the future, I would not hesitate to recommend it to you! The high points are worth mentioning for sure:

• We received a gorgeous tech T-shirt by Born Fit.
• We received an adorable champagne glass along with champagne at the finish.
• We received chocolate!
• The registration price was very reasonable.
• The race location included free parking.
• Bag checking was available.
• Packet pickup was at the race location on the morning of the race, and the expo booths were there as well which was nice for us out-of-towners.
• The pre-race and post-race activites were great and created such a fun atmosphere.
• You could refill your water bottles at the water stations.
• Brightroom was a great choice for the event photographer.

This was the first year of the Seattle event so there were a couple bumps in the road.  Here's what I hope they do differently next year.

• More bathrooms at the start line and at least 2 at each water station!
• Have a race official managing the bathroom lines so the half marathoners can go first if their event starts first.
• Do not run out of race shirts in any size!  This might mean people have to take the size they actually ordered.
• Do not run out of race medals!  A rain check for a medal would be so disappointing on race day.
• Larger medals--these things are tiny!
• It would be nice to have the shirts, glasses, and medals include the date and location of the event.
• The paths for the out and backs were too narrow for the number of runners in two directions.
• DO NOT RUN OUT OF WATER AT THE FINISH LINE!!!

This year, SJR only had four event locations on their schedule, but I foresee the popularity of this series growing by leaps and bounds.  More popularity can only mean more events, right?  The next and final event on the schedule this year is in Austin, TX on October 9th.  If you're in the area, you should definitely sign up for Jane! And if you sign up by August 9th, the cost is only $75!

Happy running!

Half marathon last weekend, fat pants today.

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 157.0 (actually 2 weeks go)
Current weight: 161.0
Gain/loss: +4.0
Total gain/loss: -75.8
Pounds to goal (136.8): 24.2
Pounds to mini goal (149): 12.0

What's wrong with this picture?  I just completed a half marathon 8 days ago.  I ran an 8K race this past Saturday (recap to come as soon as I have my official finish time), and yet here I sit in my fat pants.

I have managed to re-enter the 160s over the course of the past couple of weeks and it sucks.  Granted, I have not been eating that great.  I have been watching it and I have not indulged in crap, but I have gone over my calories or points, whatever it is that I am counting on a particular day.  I think I gave myself permission because I was "training".  I wanted to train well, and be strong, so I needed to eat, right?  Well, apparently I didn't need to eat that much!

So it has come to this day when all must change.  I have conquered the half marathon and am no longer officially "in training".  It is time to get back to business and refocus on my weight goals.  My ultimate weight goal is still listed as 136.8, but my short term goal is 149.  Today I weigh in at 161.

I am recommitting to Weight Watchers today.  I have been ready to throw in the towel and break up with WW, however, after our long history together, I feel I must make one last ditch effort to become one with the PointsPlus plan.  I must remember that "free fruit" doesn't mean I should consume 5 pounds of cherries in two days.  It doesn't mean I can eat at least 2 bananas each day.  It doesn't even mean that I should eat 2 nectarines for dinner.  I know how to eat and "free fruit" doesn't mean it's a "fruit free for all".  Do you hear that, Lori, it's not a fruit free for all!  One of my very first Weight Watcher's leaders said to me so many years ago, it's not the fruit that brings people to Weight Watchers, it's the fruit pie.  Well, I can say that fruit has been a serious problem for me in the basic calories in < calories out equation lately.  I must cut back.

I also need to come to terms with my workout schedule and either make peace with the fact that I am not going to be a morning exerciser, or get over myself and just get the fudge out of bed in the morning!  Seriously!  Every week it's the same ol' thing.  I mentally prepare for getting to bed early, getting up early, and getting my workout done first thing.  Some days it happens and I feel great, most days it doesn't and I feel like crap.  Even if I get the workout done in the evening, I'm so irritated with myself over the missed morning workout that it overshadows the evening workout.  Isn't that stupid?!  For some reason I have it in my head that I need to workout in the morning to be successful, and I want to workout in the morning so bad.  But I hate getting out of bed!  I am not a morning person, I'm a night person.  Morning workouts cramp my style, yet I can't let go of the idea.  Help me!  Can anyone recommend some blogs of moms who workout at night?  I want to see this plan in action because I can't seem to grasp its worthiness.

One other idea I had was this: run in the mornings, strength train at night.  I do not love strength training.  I do not even like it, yet I know it's necessary.  I have been enjoying Jillian's No More Trouble Zones DVD, well as much as you can enjoy something you don't like, that is, but the thought of getting out of bed and bonding with Jillian before my coffee makes me turn off the alarm and pretend I never heard it.  So maybe I should just starting running every morning.  Running takes little thought.  You get up, put on the gear, leave the house (or get on the treadmill).  Not difficult.  Then a couple nights a week, as time permits, I can have my sweat sesh with Jillian.  How many of you run 5 days a week?  Do you cross train?

Anyway, regardless of when I workout, the most important thing is to stop eating so much.  So here we are on day 1 of the recommitment plan.  So far things are going along well.  (Except that I didn't workout this morning.)

What is your typical workout routine?

Lovely Quote

Roni shared a quote* over the weekend that I loved and just had to share:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine** in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, “WOO HOO what a ride!”

*I Googled this quote to see who said it, but I couldn't find it.  Found lots of variations of the quote, however.

**My version would say coffee instead of wine.

See Jane Run Half Marathon Race Recap

I left for Seattle on Saturday afternoon.  I was staying the night with my mom who happens to rent a studio apartment in West Seattle which is just 20 minutes from Gas Works Park where the race would take place.  When I got to town it was dinner time so we headed for dinner at The Spaghetti Factory on the waterfront.  I ate my favorite pasta dish: spaghetti with browned butter and myzithra cheese, along with lots of bread and butter.  Yum!!  We took a short walk after dinner and by the time we got back to her apartment it was after 8:30.  We visited for awhile but headed to bed early, around 10:30.  My alarm was set for 5:30.

I fell asleep fairly quickly, but long about 2:30 a.m. I was wide awake.  I could not fall back to sleep.  It was a strange place, a strange bed, and my mom's breathing was strange (not strange for her, but strange for me since I usually sleep with my husband!)  No matter what I tried, I could not sleep!  Finally abot 4:45 I gave up, resigned to the fact that I would be running a half marathon on very little sleep!

I can't say that I was nervous when I got up, but I did feel a bit of trepidation.  Would I be able to do it, would I finish in under three hours, how many times would I have to pee, and so on and so forth!  Luckily I had my race outfit, my pre-race breakfast, and all the details of the day worked out.  I felt at ease with all that would take place knowing that I had done everything I could to get prepared, even if that didn't include long runs!

We were supposed to check-in for the race at 6:30 and we arrived at the park at 6:25!  Woohoo!  There was no line for packet pickup although I was dismayed to hear they were out of size large shirts.  I didn't order a large, but I was thinking of all those women that did and how frustrating that would be!  I already knew the shirts were super cute and purple--it was meant to be, I tell ya!

We walked around the park a little bit.  There was a great view of the Seattle skyline which I had to photograph, but before I did that I had to take a picture of the hideous garbage left behind by some hooligans the night before. 

Seriously, can you believe that?  I was amazed to see that after several runners came over to take pictures of the view, they started cleaning it all up.  There are terrific people in the world.  I'm not one of them, but I'm so glad to see they exist!

Anyway, the view was amazing even though it was completely overcast.  The weather forecast called for rain, but it wasn't happening just yet.  I had my sunglasses just in case.

Gas Works Park has these large steel structures that I guess used to do something with gas.  I don't know.  But I took some pictures.  And then I used the restroom.

By now it was about 7:00 and we wandered over to check out the "expo".  I didn't really need anything, but wants are so strong at these things.  I found a purple See Jane Run sweatshirt that I just had to buy.  It was $55 for a Champion sweatshirt!  Say what?!  Well, I had to have it, of course.

Long about 7:30, I decided to hit the restroom again.  I'm sure it was nerves and my bladder, but I had to go again.  This time the line was so long!  And they did not have enough restrooms, not by a lot shot.  They kept announcing to let the half marathon runners go first because the 5K started a half hour later, but it didn't seem to make a difference.  At 7:40 when the Jane Fonda style warm-up started I was still in the bathroom line.  At 7:50, I was still in the bathroom line.  My mom and I started up a conversation with the girl behind us (here name was Brandy) who was very experienced in running these events and by 7:59 we were still in line.  The race started promptly at 8:00 and we were still in line!  I was asking her if she thought we should head out and hit the first porta-potty, or if we should continue to wait, it was chip timing after all.  After much debate we headed out about 2 minutes after the start.  We didn't use the restroom!  So I was starting my first half marathon having to pee.  Good times.

But we were off and running.  I was running my first half marathon!  Woohoo!  And an amazing thing was happening.  Brandy and I were chatting!  Running and chatting!  I never thought I could run and talk before, but here I was.  And it was glorious!  I felt awesome and the time was passing so quickly.  The first three miles was an out and back which was a little annoying when the lead runners were coming back and the path was still thick with runners.  You couldn't pass people or you'd get run over so you just had to shuffle along.  But we hit 3 miles around 35 minutes which wasn't too bad.

It was right after the three mile mark that we finally stopped to pee.  Oh, thank goodness!  I had been so stressed because I hate running while having to pee! 

At 4 miles, I ate two Gu Chomps (blueberry-pomegranite) and had some water.  Brandy and I were still chatting and I was still feeling great!  My right heel started hurting a little bit around mile 6 which worried me a bit.  I hoped it would not continue to get worse and worse.  Luckily it didn't.

I started this race with a solid plan.  I broke it into three parts.  Miles 1 through 8 were basically Bloomsday so I could run those no problem!  Then I would run and/or walk as needed to mile 10.  And then it was just a 5K to the end--I do 5Ks all the time.  This plan and Brandy helped the first 8 miles fly by!  I felt great!  At one point we kind of got separated and I just turned up my iPod and kept going.  I was really amazed at how good I felt!  I had a couple Gu Chomps and water every two miles and the pace was easy and steady.  When we got to a place where there was a fairly steep, but short hill, I actually loved it.  I didn't realize that my legs did feel a little sore but the change to running up hill felt great and was a nice break

I did walk a little bit between mile 9 and 10.  Brandy and I had gotten separated so I was a bit sad, and I had to pee again.  Eww!  So after the 10 mile mark I stopped into the first porto-potty available.  Let me tell you how not fun it is to try and go to the bathroom in one of those things when your clothes are soaked with sweat.  Everything was sticking to me and it was difficult to maneauver all my clothes and race belt while staying upright.  Oh yeah, and that one was on a hill, did I mention that?  I almost fell over while I was trying to pull my pants up!  That would have been fun!  I kept envisioning the whole thing going over with me. 

It was about 10.5 miles when I started to feel a little fatigued.  I kept telling myself it was just a 5K to finish, and I could run it.  But I actually ended up walking a bit between mile 10 and the finish.  I was okay with it, though, I wanted to keep going.  The last 3 miles was another out and back so eventually I saw Brandy coming back and she cheered for me and gave me a mental boost!  I will admit that at one point I was thinking about how I wouldn't be doing any more half marathons after that one!  But I kept going.  My biggest problem was the thirst.  My water bottles were empty and I had to get to mile 12 or so before there was more water.  I felt like I could drink a gallon.  When I reached that last water station I couldn't force myself to eat any more Chomps and I sucked down a cup of water while they refilled my water bottle.  That was only 6oz, though, and soon it was gone, but I still had a half mile to go.  I just wanted water!  It had started to sprinkle just a bit, but that wasn't the water I needed!

At 13 miles Icould hear the announcer at the finish line and shortly I could see the end.  I picked up the pace and finished strong.

I kept scanning the crowd for my mom, but turns out she was standing on the other side of the finish line!  Once I crossed it I started to head towards her and a race official started coming after me which startled me a bit!  Turns out she just wanted to give me my medal!  Oh, thank you!  Now I need water.  But then I kept walking and someone else was coming after me; this person wanted my race chip.  Sheesh, let me get some water!  I walked a bit further and a photographer was right there telling me he could take my finish line photo.  Yes, please, but I still need water.

Finally, I could head towards the water.  Water!  All I wanted was water.  But they had no water!!!!!!!!  NO WATER!  I was disappointed and trying not to panic.  I knew my mom had water in the car, but that wasn't right there at the finish and I wanted water now.  So what else can a person do but head towards the champagne.  At least it's liquid right?  On my way I met up with Brandy again and she hugged me and congratulated me.  I felt awesome!  Thirsty, but awesome.

And my mom headed to her car to get the water!  It was still raining.  It wasn't pouring, but it was a steady rainfall which chilled me a bit.  I guzzled the water, sipped the champagne, and ate the chocolate.  I also tried to choke down a bagel, but that wasn't happening.  Brandy and I chatted a bit more, I thanked her for her help in passing the miles and then finally we decided to be on our way.  It was around 11:00 by this time.  My legs felt really good; I finally did a little stretching on the way to the car.  When I had made my way to the water table only to find it empty, I also started hearing about how they had run out of 5K medals.  After knowing they'd also run out of large shirts I was worried they would run out of champagne glasses and champagne. Instead of taking the time to stretch a bit, I was more intent on getting my glass and filling it with liquid than stretching my legs.  So a good stretch at the car was definitely in order.  I snapped a picture of myself with my phone to text to all my friends and we left the park.

My mom and I went back to her place where I showered and slept for 2 hours!  At first I felt guilty about napping, but then I remembered I was up at 2:30 and had run 13.1 miles so I deserved a nap.  And it felt great.  I thought I would be sore when I got up, but only my knees felt a tad bit tight.  Later that evening I drove about 50 minutes to see my friend and I though my legs would hurt after being stuck in the car, but they weren't.  She and I even walked a few blocks to dinner, and I felt great!

I even felt great the next day and the next.  No soreness!  I am amazed.  I was sore after Bloomsday for a couple days so I was fully expecting to be sore after this race, but I really wasn't.  This has only added to the greatness of this whole experience.  It makes me realize that I have been training well and running hard.  I may not have run the long runs, but I ran a lot.  And all of that hard work paid off!  My chip time on this race was 2:44:01.  I have posted my splits below and you'll notice the extra time on mile 4 and mile 10--these were the bathroom stops.  At first I was dismayed to see that I basically spent 8 minutes going to the bathroom.  I was thinking without those stops I could have finished in 2:36, just 6 minutes off my goal...or maybe not. I then started realizing that those bathroom breaks were also running breaks and maybe making those stops actually helped me.  Maybe without a rest I would not have been able to finish as strong as I did.  So I'm not lamenting the 8 minutes at all.  In the end, time doesn't really matter.  The fact is I completed a half marathon, and I felt great doing it.  I set a goal and achieved it.  That is a fabulous feeling!  I could not be more proud of myself.

Now, am I still planning to chase down the 2:30 half marathon?  Well, we shall see.  More on this in the coming weeks.  I also plan to share my thoughts about this race series as well as recommend some fabulous running gear. 

Thank you for following my journey and supporting me!

I am a half marathoner!!

I am a half marathoner!!

I promise to post a complete recap very soon!  This experience has been one of the best of my life, and I feel amazing!  I can't wait to share the whole story with you all!  Until then, here is my official photo from the finish line. 

See Jane Run Half Marathon - Seattle

July 17, 2011

Chip Time: 2:44:01

Weigh In - 07/12/2011

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 159.4
Current weight: 157.0
Gain/loss: -2.4
Total gain/loss: -79.8
Pounds to goal (136.8): 20.6
Pounds to mini goal (149): 8

I had a fairly decent week this week.  Aside from my latest frozen yogurt addiction, I stayed pretty much on plan except for a small chip fiasco on Sunday!  I only ran on three days (Wednesday, Friday & Saturday), but I completed the No More Trouble Zones workout DVD twice (Tuesday & Friday).  That makes two weeks (2x/week) of that work out and I have to say it is awesome!  I can already tell a difference in my strength level and how my body feels.  I didn't take measurements or anything, but I know my abs feel tighter!  Gotta love that!  I plan to keep doing it twice a week for awhile.

Finally summer!

I'm coming off another great weekend filled with sun.  My tan is in full swing!  I love summer!


Wearing the white shirt again!

 This week is my "taper week" as I head into my half marathon this weekend.  Tapering would mean less mileage, but since I haven't run the long runs (over 6 miles), this week will feel fairly the same.  And even though I haven't done those long runs, and even though I am still nervous about my half marathon, I am completely excited about it at the same time.  No matter what my finish time is, I'll have a PR!  Finishing=winning.

I leave for Seattle on Saturday and will be staying until Wednesday with my BFF or BFFL, however you want to look at it.  We plan to shop, laugh, and have a great time together no matter what happens with my race on Sunday.  I really wish she was doing the half with me!  And I will say it again, I don't think I will tackle another half marathon unless I have a buddy.  My mom will be dropping me off at the race and she'll be there at the end, but having someone along side me, earning the same medal as me would be so much more special.  A half marathon still feels like a huge accomplishment to me and I'll love having achieved this goal, but I would love having someone there with me, too.  Oh well, I have been a solo runner all these months so running the half solo will be fine.  I am still hoping for the 2:30 finish, but without the proper training on the books, I'm leaving it up to God and my legs and lungs to determine my finish time.  I'm okay with whatever time I get as long as I finish on my own two feet!

What is enough?

It's a variation of this is a question that I keep asking myself. 

• How much should I run so that I'm running enough? 
• How many days should I exercise so I'm exercising enough? 
• How many pounds should I lose until I've lost enough? 

I think the answers must come from within, of course, but how do I arrive at them?  I don't know. 

How do you decide what is enough?

Weigh In - 07/05/2011

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 159.4
Current weight: 159.8
Gain/loss: +.4
Total gain/loss: -77.0
Pounds to goal: 23.0

I am okay with this small gain.  I had a really good week last week.  I ran, I made it through Jillian's No More Trouble Zones DVD one and a half times, and I ate pretty much what I wanted over the holiday weekend.  I ate an Oreo ice cream dessert and lots of chips and that was fabulous and tasty!

My awesome holiday weekend included me in a swimsuit!  I have not worn a suit comfortably for years!  Years, I tell you!  This year I indulged and bought a Miraclesuit.  While I don't think it automatically makes me look 10 pounds slimmer, I do feel pretty darn good in the suit so it was worth every penny!  I actually wore it all day yesterday without any cover-up!  I guess it's an NSV of sorts!  I also wore it in the lake when I went tubing with my son!  Me, on the tube!  It was truly fabulous and my son loved that I got out there with him.  I am so glad I changed my life while he's still young!

Here's my Miraclesuit (available at Eddie Bauer or Amazon):

This is the style of the front of the top (mine isn't this print):

This is the back of the top in the print I purchased (paisley):

This is the style of the skirt:

What were your NSVs over the holiday weekend?

Some more ABCs of Me

A) Apples: I pretty much eat at least one apple per day; add peanut butter it's dessert!

B) Books: I love reading books, it's one of my passions.

C) Cheese: I could eat block after block of cheese.

D) Dolphins: I love dolphins and have dolphin tattoos.  I have a dream of swimming with dolphins, although now that the plight of dolphins in captivity is becoming more well known, I'm not sure I could do it.  I'd have to research a lot first.

E) Eggs: I love eggs in all varieties of ways.  Especially with cheese!

F) Flowers: my favorite is the daisy.

G) Greek yogurt: as in Chobani.  I am a convert and this is the only yogurt I eat; I eat at least 1 per day, sometimes more.

H) Heath: my favorite kind of candy bar.

I) iPhone: I absolutely love my iPod!

J) J and J: my husband and son both have names that start with this letter!!

K) Kitties: I love kittes, I have three, I wish I had more.  I would if they didn't poop and pee.

L) Lasik eye surgery: I had lasik in January 2006 and it was on of the best decisions of my life!

M) Music: I love music and it heals my soul.  I like everything from classical to comtemporary, jazz to heavy metal--okay very little heavy metal.  But I like all genres of music depending on my mood.

N) Nike: I am a Nike runner!  Unfortunately I have ugly Adidas shoes, but I love Nike gear!  Swoosh! 
O) Octopus: something that freaks me out, I do not want to look at them, touch them, and for sure I am not going to eat one!

P) Purple: I love purple, that is a fact!

Q) Quotes: I love inspiring quotes and running quotes and parenting quotes.  Quotes, quotes, quotes.

R) Running: I want to make this my passion; I want to run for life!

S) Scrapbooking: I really enjoy this craft, although I don't make as much time for it as I used to.
T) Traveling: I do not love traveling, but I like it once in awhile.  I love going on cruises, and visiting Disney is my favorite.

U) Umbrella: always in my car when I need it elsewhere.

V) V is the first letter of my last name.

W) Writing: I have always loved writing and have journaled since 1990.  I love using pen & paper, although typing is so much faster and backspace/delete are my friends.

X) Xavier Roberts: the person whose signature was on the Cabbage Patch Kids birth certificate when I was a kid.  I always wondered who this was and I wanted to thank him for my beloved "kids" Mildred Almira and Jessy Lucille.

Y) Yo yo: sometimes I can do this.

Z)  Zzzzz: I love sleeping!!

In other shoe news

My perfect and ugly running shoes have been updated and are now available with purple.  Check these out.

Introducing the Adidas Supernova Sequence 4

I love the laces on these, but the orange is kinda bright.  Also love the purple on the heel!

 

I like the lighter gray of these, but they are kinda plain looking.




And these are my current ugly blue running shoes, the Supernova Sequence 3.

These are my current shoes.

I also have this pair which is kinda better except my feet sweat more in this pair for some reason.

The blue shoes still have a good 100 miles left and the pink have probably 300 so, therefore, it would be just plain crazy to buy new shoes right now.  But they now have purple!!! 

Must. Have. Purple. Shoes.

Entering week 8 of the ol' training schedule.

Long runs are boring for me, they just are.  And don't get me started on the pain of them.  I'm pretty sure that I will never if I ever decide to do this half marathon business again, I'm finding a running group or at least another glutton for punishment running partner. 

This week's scheduled long run is 12 miles.  I have been adding one mile per week to the long run over the past 7 weeks.  I mean, my training schedule has been adding a mile.  I, on the other hand, have been staying fairly steady at 5 to 6.5 or even zero miles on the long run.  Say wha?  Yes, you read that right.

I told you my training has been craptastic.  Oh well, I shall still do the half and I know I will finish.  I may not make my goal of 2:30, but I'll cross the finish line with a smile and know that I've accomplished something great!  I cannot wait to get it over with until it's here!

Don't think, just do!

I'm back.  You didn't know I was gone, did you?  Well, I've kind of been laying low and now I'm going to get back online.  But what does that mean?  Hmmm, I'm here with my stats, first.

Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 157.4 (actually May 24, last check in)
Current weight: 159.4
Gain/loss: +2.0
Total gain/loss: -77.4
Pounds to goal: 22.6

You may notice that I've gotten even farther (further?) from my goal.  Argh!  I'm not too concerned only because I've been weighing anywhere from 156 to 159 for the past month.  It's just that nothing is clicking with me right now.

As for my training, well I posted about that here, and it hasn't really gotten any better.  I'm now wishing I could just get this event over and done with.  I'm looking forward to it, but I'm ready for it to be done.  July 17th can't get here fast enough, although I hate wishing that because it's like wishing the summer to go faster. 

I'm ready to get back to my regularly scheduled running.  My best friend visited over the weekend.  She has also been running for about a year and she is doing awesome.  She really got me to thinking about how much I just miss my fitness runs.  An easy 5K a few times per week sounds excellent right now.  I have always thought that I want to become a "5 mile runner", but now I think I'm a 5K runner. I like that distance.  You have time to warm up, run, cool down, and then still do some good stretching afterwards, and still complete all of it in well under an hour.  It feels easier to add in some other activities with that distance as well.  For some reason I've had it in my head that if I'm not doing 15-20 miles a week, I'm not doing enough.  I don't know where that idea came from, but that's what I've been stuck on.  But what if I did some biking or swimming, some strength training, and some running?  Maybe only 12 miles a week, or even less?  That should be okay, shouldn't it?  I'm trying to get to a place where that feels okay.

I really need to add in some other activities.  I wouldn't say I'm getting bored with running, but I do need some additional exercises to start shaping this body.  Running is not enough.  I never thought it was, but I wasn't really ready to add anything else.  Now I feel more ready.  My friend is doing Zumba and yoga which she loves and I would like to add in something like that too.  Whether it's a class or in my basement, I just need to do it!  Do it!  Do it!  Don't think, just do!  Right?

As for my weight, I still have my goal weight set at 136.8, but right now, my mini-goal is 149.  Once I reach that number, I'm going to evaluate how I feel about where I am at.  I have been down to 152 and now I'm back up to 159 and quite possibly the 130s are too low for me.  I try not to get too fixated on a number (say 15-20 miles a week, for instance), but in my heart I know I am not happy being in the 150s so I'm not ready to change my goal yet.  But I might settle for a 90 pound loss instead of 100.  Of even an 86 pound loss.  I just want to get out of the 150s, a place I have been since November!  It's kind of freeing to think about actually, that I might find a weight that I am happy with that's not just about a number, but also about how I feel.  I have never taken the time to think about that part of it, I've always been fixated on a number.  I do believe my original goal weight was 145, but then I decided it would be fun to lose 100 pounds and changed it to 136.8.  I gotta tell you, though, 145 sounds good right now.

Size is becoming a huge thing to me, as in clothes sizes.  I wanted to wear a size 8, but I think I am okay with a size 10.  What I'm not okay with is the muffin top midsection!!  I bought some capris at American Eagle the other night, size 10.  They fit, but they are very snug in the waist!  I know some bloggers who outweigh me by 30+ pounds who are still smaller than me!  But they are very active in all around fitness activities (running, cross training, strength training) when all I do is run.  That is why I feel really ready to add in some other activities.  I might firm up and lose inches even if I don't lose 100 pounds.  145 or 149 might feel terrific if I were several inches smaller.  The only thing that can make that happen is me, and I need to take the steps and get it done.

I've learned that I can be a solitary runner (except for long runs and that's another post), but I think I need group fitness classes.  Whenever I try and start something in my basement, I quickly lose interest because it gets mundane and boring, even after 2 sessions.  Currently I don't know anyone I can work out with, but perhaps if I rejoin a gym, or find some community fitness activities, I can meet some people. I just cancelled my gym membership in February because I didn't think it was for me, but I've really been digging deep lately into just what my ultimate goals are and how I can achieve them.  Is a gym the way to do it?  I'm deciding.

I'm also still working on my workout schedule.  Morning?  Evening?  Both?  This morning was my first day back at work after a week of being on pseudo-vacation (i.e., not having to come to the office but keeping up with email and a couple projects).  We were out to dinner with friends last night and I had a few things to take care of when I got home so I didn't get to bed until after 11:30.  This means a morning run is doomed.  This late night stuff happens way too often.  That means after work I'll have to run.  And of course I'll HAVE to because of this training thing, and having to really makes me cranky.  I don't want to HAVE to!  Oh, I can't wait until this half marathon is over.

So there you have it.  Still here, still trying, still thinking more than doing.

Here's me today

After spending the day at the pool, my husband and I had dinner plans with friends.  We asked our son to snap a quick photo so here is what I look like today (with the sun in my eyes).  Be back tomorrow with a weigh in and update.

Hitting a Wall

I am 6 weeks into my half marathon training, my race is 1 month from yesterday!  To say that the training isn't going as planned is probably an understatement.  The truth of the matter is that neither the physical or mental part of the training is going well.  I have not been able to complete the mileage on any long run, and this week I missed it altogether.  This lack of success is really playing with with my mental state.  I am doubting myself so much and all my runs lately, long and short, have been sub par.  It's awful really.  I keep trying to shake myself free of these feelings, but it's not working.  And do you want to hear something dumb?  I have a big owie inside my cheek which is totally making me feel terrible all over.  My glands are swollen and I'm so achy.  And that's the reason I missed my long run this week.  Lame, I know.

I'm not sure if it's the fueling or hydrating before running.  Or if it's overall nutrition.  And believe me, I've spent a lot of time stressing thinking about it.  It's craziness.

The other issue I'm having is that I'm not loving running out of what feels like necessity.  I stress that I have this event coming up and I HAVE to train, sand then I get out there and run and it's not enjoyable.  I was so looking forward to this training plan and to have it turning out like this is a real disappointment.  I'm really trying for the attitude adjustment, but so far, it's for naught.  I'm sitting here with the negative self talk going on all the time.

I feel like I've hit the wall with my training.  And I'm hating this feeling.

So I pose these questions: do you eat before running in the morning?  Does it depend on your planned mileage.  Do you take water on every run, no matter the distance?  Do you think it's better to train yourself to run with less water?

My Thoughts on Running a Half Marathon

5K is my favorite distance.

5 miles is a challenge.

10K is very far.

12K is even farther.

13.1 miles...I'm skeered!

My Thoughts on Running Today

It's hard.

I hate it.

Please don't make me do it.

I'd like to comment on your blog

I am having issues commenting on Blogger blogs.  I have tried for days and days on several different blogs and I keep getting the message that I need to login.  I login, leave comment, post, then get the message to login.  It's positively maddening!  So I'm sorry I'm neglecting your blogs.  It's not my fault!!  And it's both my work and home computer.  What gives?!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you!!

Thanks for all the nice comments on my race photos.  I really hope there is a photographer on site at my half!  And that I remember to smile.

CDA 5K Race Photos

Yes, I'm one of those people who spends lots of money to purchase my race photos.  I love official race photos.  Here are the ones from last Sunday's 5K. 


Cheesy smile and wave!  I love this one, I wish my head wasn't cut off.



Rounding the corner to the finish.



Right before the finish, I wish I would have smiled!!




And for comparison's sake, here's last year's finish photo.



Fun Friday

Rather than bore you with the details of my ridiculously terrible run this morning, I give you the ABCDEFood survey instead.  I stole this idea from Syl.

ABCDEFood!

A: is for Apple, what’s your favorite variety?
Pink Lady or Empire

B: is for Bread, regardless of nutrition, calories, or whole grains what is your favorite type to have a nice big piece of?
Sourdough

C: is for Cereal what is your favorite kind currently (just one!)
Granola, but I don't keep it in the house or I eat it all in one day.

D: is for Doughnuts, you might not currently be eating them but what kind do you fancy?
Maple bars!!!

E: is for Eggs, how would you like yours prepared?
White cooked, yolk runny, or scrambled.

F: is for Fat Free, what is your favorite fat free product?
Greek yogurt, Chobani 0% to be exact!

G: is for Groceries, where do you purchase yours at?
Costco and Fred Meyer (Kroger)

H: is for Hot Beverages, what is your favorite hot drink?
Coffee!!!

I: is for Ice Cream, pick a favorite flavor and add a fun topping.
No topping needed for Ben & Jerry's Toffee Heath Bar Crunch.  If I had to pick a topping for it, it would be caramel!

J: is for Jams or Jellies, do you eat them, and if so what kind and flavor?
Not a huge fan, but I do like grape jelly on PB&J sandwiches.

K: is for Kashi, name your favorite Kashi product?
Autumn Wheat cereal

L: is for Lunch, what was yours today?
2 eggs with a sandwich thin and carrots

M: is for microwave, what is your favorite microwave meal/snack?
Definitely popcorn.

N: is for nutrients, do you like carbs, fats, or proteins best?
Carbs!

O: is for oil, what kind do you like to use?
Olive oil

P: is for protein, how do you get yours?
Usually from Dairy and some chicken or ground turkey.  I'm not a huge meat eater.  Oh, and eggs!  And beans and whole grains.

Q: is for Quaker, how do you like your oats?
Well, I love granola, but I like oatmeal with canned pumpkin, a little milk, water, and lots of cinnamon.

R: is for roasting, what is your favorite thing to roast?
Probably turkey or potatoes.

S: is for sandwich, what’s your favorite kind?
If I'm being good, turkey.  If I'm eating whatever I want, grilled cheese.

T: is for travel, how do you handle eating while traveling?
If I'm traveling it's vacation and I usually splurge a bit.  Vacation only comes once in while.

U: is for unique, what is one of your weirdest food combos?
Pasta and cottage cheese.

V: is for vitamins, what kind do you take?
Multi-vitamin, B12 and Vitamin D

W: is for wasabi, yay or nay?
Not for me.

X: is for X-RAY. if we x-rayed your belly right now, what food would we see?
My lunch (see above)

Y: is for youth, what food reminds you of your childhood?
Top Ramen

Z: is for zucchini, how do you prepare it?
Sauteed

Coeur d'Alene 5K at Riverstone - Race Recap 5/29/11 (A PR!)

All last week the forecast for the weekend was cold temps with rain.  Somehow the outlook changed long about Friday and sun with milder temps was expected for our Sunday race day.  It was a bit cool in the morning, but the sun was shining!  Hallelujah!

Here I am with my parents before the race.

This was my very first event last year fresh off the Couch to 5K training plan when my mile pace was right around 12 minutes.  My goal last year had been merely to run the entire way without stopping to walk.  I reached that goal and finished in 36:27!!  I went into the race this year with a plan to beat my time from last year.  My unspoken goal was to finish in under 30 minutes.

I'm so proud to say that I DID IT!

Official race time: 29:34!!! 

Yes, that is my fastest 5K to date! 

I have to say that I felt awesome before, during and after this race.  I love this course because it's paved and basically flat.  It's held on the Centennial Trail which was made for biking, running, and walking activities, and is not subject to car exhaust, potholes, and the like.  Since it's an out and back course, it is awesome to see the winners making their way back.  Another plus is the amount of numb skulls who stop and walk without taking notice of who is behind them is minimal.   All in all, I would say that this might be my favorite race, and definitely my favorite race distance.

My Garmin was very helpful on this one, and of all the running gear I think I can't live without, Forrest is number one on the list.  I didn't want to make the mistake of starting too fast so I made sure to keep track of my pace in the beginning.  I absolutely love having the distance, pace and time easily accessible on my wrist.  I can see it becoming an obsession for some, but I use it as a tool not an obstacle.

Anyway, I keep watching the race site for race photos and they haven't been posted yet.  I hope to update this post later with an official photo.  The one below was taken by my husband.  I notice my form does not look all that great.  Oh well.



Heel strike, anyone?

After this, my second event of the season, I'm feeling pumped, although, for some reason I go through a case of the nerves in the days leading up the event.  So much so that I start feeling as though I don't even want to do it at all.  Luckily I push through the nerves and make it to the starting line.  I thought this one would be different because I'd done it once already, but nope, I still nearly chickened out.  The feeling goes away soon after the race gets underway, but it's definitely there at the beginning.  I'm already worrying about my half next month.  It's next month, people!!
What about you?  Do you get nervous before events?  How do you deal with it?