Day 19 - New Shirts

I woke up with an excitement to run today. My new shirts came yesterday and I was dying to try them out! Yes, it truly is the small things in life that make me happy. The dingo and I put in 3.5 miles on our usual Thursday route. I felt pretty good, nothing to complain about. I practiced my "mental movie" of my best training run. It's amazing how much positive imagery can really help! I'm still working on my second mental movie about the marathon finish. I want to get it just right in my head (because I'm sure it will bear nothing in actual resemblence)! I also got my iPod working again....praise sweet baby Jesus! Two runs in silence is horrible, I've got to say! I didn't really look at all the songs on my "Workout 1" playlist after the system re-boot, so some oldie-but-goodie songs popped up during my run today. I think for the actual marathon I won't edit my playlist so much. I'm very connected to music. Almost every song I hear has some sort of personal significance. Hearing some of the music that I listened to when I initially started out on my weight loss journey was fun....and inspiring! I've also started a list of songs I want to buy from iTunes for my "Marathon Playlist". Whoever said running was an inexpensive sport was sorely mistaken! Of course needs vs. wants are different things, too! Well, I hear Caroline starting to stir. Braden is happily watching Power Rangers....gosh, when did he get so old to like Power Rangers?! That means my day needs to get going. I think we may treat the dingo to a day at the doggie spa today. He needs a good bath and teeth brushing!

Back to reality...

And so today begins another work week. I've gotta say, I didn't miss or think about work once on my little vacay. What's worse is that I have to work this weekend. I hate working weekends. That means only one RD on duty and you get all the wackiest patients/consults. To top it off, we have a 10-miler scheduled for Saturday. Okay, enough of the pity party. I did get caught up on some of my DVR shows: The Next Food Network Star, 16 and Pregnant, HGTV Design Star. Still to come is Army Wives, Dirty Sexy Money, and Drop Dead Diva. As you can see, I'm a bit of a TV junkie! But other than running, it's my only release. My only time just to "be".
In other news, I've found a few new blogs to follow! Erica, at I Run Because I Can is giving away a great fuel belt - the Helium 4. Hydration/nutrition while running is one of my biggest concerns. My GI system just doesn't tolerate food well, while running. I'm happy to say that I've been doing okay with my 60% water/40% gatorade mixture while running. I hope to find something else that I can tolerate (I've been told to try pretzels). I also found another nutrition and running-related blog, Trials of Training , so hopefully I can pick up some tips there, too! I'm guessing it's because of my recent illness or maybe the heat/humidity, but my motivation is just low. I think I may rent a couple marathon-related movies to get me back in the right mind-set. Not sure when I'll have time to watch them....but it's on my "to do" list!
Since today is a "rest" day, there is no training report.....except that it felt good to do some weight training this morning (as opposed to the pilates I had been doing on Wednesdays). I may dig up my race report from my half marathon to post. Might as well have all my "writing" in one spot for posterity!

Day 18 - Recap...

Gosh, I don't even know where to start! So much has happened since my last post! Of course I've been keeping up on my training runs, just not updating about them! We left for Lakeside, OH last Thursday. Took just over 3 hours to get there and the kids did suprisingly well. We met up with our extended family from Washington DC and Columbus. My parents also went. There's always so much to do at Lakeside and never enough time. I did get in my 8-miler on Saturday. Nothing like running on a state route with cars/trucks whizzing past you at 55-65 mph to make you feel like a slug! It wasn't the best scenery, but I got it done and felt good afterwards. We went to Put In Bay, OH later that day. Caroline loved driving around on the golf carts (or "tractors" as she called them). I think we were the only ones there with car seats strapped into our golf cart. They were celebrating Christmas in July and it looked like quite the party. Now, 10 years ago, taking kids to Put In Bay would have been torture. I didn't miss the drinking and partying one bit though. All I could think was "oh, they are going to be hurting tomorrow!" Guess I've grown up!! Saturday night we got the kids all dressed up in their OSU gear to hear the Ohio State Alumni band play at Lakeside. They'd had a pretty long day though and weren't really in the mood to sit and listen to a brass band play. Go figure! Sunday took us to Cedar Point. The kids had a blast, but the 3 previous nights of all of us sleeping in one room (and the last night with all 4 of us in one bed) had caught up with hubby and I. We arrived home safe and sound Sunday night.
Monday morning I got in an "easy" 3 miler. I was completely drained from vacation and then on top of that my iPod decided to stop working. Ugh!! Cooper was still at the doggy hotel, so I was completely on my own. 3 miles never felt so long! As a follow up to my doctor's appointment last week, I was told to call to update my doctor on my condition. Apparently my CPK levels were too high last week and needed to be re-checked. "Severe muscle inflammation" was the diagnosis....uh yeah! I didn't need to have labwork done to confirm that. I mean, I was hurting so bad I sat in a bath tub full of ice cubes and cold water! I went to have my labwork re-done today. Hopefully it will come back normal, as I really am feeling almost 100% better.
Today, my iPod still wasn't working, but at least I had my trusty running dingo back! 5 miles of hills. Felt pretty good, but I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I was wishing the whole time that I could just be done. How am I ever going to do 26 miles?? In any case, this week in TNRMT it discusses creating 2 short "mental movies" to replay in your mind during tough runs. My first "movie" is of my run at Lakeside. What I wore, the course, the smells, how I felt, what I heard, etc. My second "movie" is still in production. It's suppose to be about crossing the finish line at the marathon. The more positive images you create, the more likely you are to have a positive outcome. Apparently your brain can't tell the difference between pictures and actual experiences. This book is exactly what I need to help with the mental training. In other *postive* news, I got a $25 gift certificate to use at my favorite local running store, Up and Running. It's from their customer rewards program and I'm so excited to go use it! Of course, I just bought a few shirts (black and aqua/green) from the Running Warehouse summer sale, but I'm sure I'll be able to find *something* to buy!

Day 14 - MD appointment

Shame on me....I never got around to posting yesterday! Between running, closing on our house re-finance and getting ready for vacation, time just got away from me. I also scheduled a doctor's appointment after still feeling so lousy on Monday afternoon. My appointment was at 1:45pm yesterday. I really didn't want to be sick on vacation, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get checked out by the MD. Well, despite a sluggish run yesterday morning, I felt about 65% better. He essentially agreed that it was most likely some random virus (although *could* be Hep A....) but he'd run some blood work just in case. Of course I had to work today and my cell doesn't work in the hospital, so I missed the RN's call about my labs and the office was closed by the time I got a chance to call back. Not sure how I feel about "Hi, this is X from Dr. Taylor's office. I have your labwork back, please give me a call." I work in a hospital, I'm around very sick patients all day. My mind immediately goes to worst-case scenario....something's wrong and she wants to tell me in person or schedule follow up work. Realistically, she's following doctor's orders to "call the patient". He knew I was leaving for vacation and would want to know the results. Couldn't she just have said "your labwork came back okay" ?? In any case, I don't have time to really worry about it. What's done is done and I'll call tomorrow before we leave.
As far as my workout yesterday, I did 5 miles of almost all hills. I felt decent. I was loaded up on ibuprofen and relatively ache-free. The poor dingo didn't fare so well.....the poor guy stopped and threw up 3 times during our run. This doesn't phase me in the least....I do have 2 kids! But I felt bad about making him continue on. Turns out he continued to vomit anything he ate yesterday. Luckily he seems to be better today, which is good because he's going to the doggy hotel in about 3 hours!! Extra prayers for his health and safety while we're gone would be appreciated! Today was a "rest" day, but I did a short pilates video before work this morning. I've gained about 3 pounds in the past month and I can feel it all in my belly. Doing core work makes me *feel* like I'm doing something constructive to combat that. Yes, I know I jut need to step away from all the junk food! Unfortunately, with vacation looming, I don't foresee an end to the weight gain (at least this week). Boo!
In non-running related news (yes, I do have other interests!) today was the last day for one of my co-workers. She's an occupational therapist and we both have little girls about the same age. We went to the same church, went to OSU together and just overall had lots in common. I cried at work (I'm such a loser!) while giving her a hug. She will be sorely missed! BUT, just in time to cheer me up was today's post on CakeWrecks. I literally laughed so hard, I cried (again, at work!). RUN, do not walk to this blog. It's so freakin' funny and just the pick me up I needed. Well, I'm not sure if I'll have time to hop on here while on vacation. Hubby is bringing his laptop to do some school work, but I seriously doubt I'll have any time to pop on. I'm praying for a good long run (just 8 miles) up at the lake. I've never ran anywhere but "home".

Day 13 - Worried

So, I don't know what's going on with me. If I don't take 400-600mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours, the pain in my legs (and now wrists and arms) comes back. I also have a killer sore throat. My sister is leaning more towards a virus/illness than a running-related injury. At this point, I'd have to agree. It was nice having a day off from running yesterday. I loaded up on ibuprofen last night before bed, slept great and then was able to get in my 3 mile run this morning. I decided to see if maybe I was through the worst, but as I write this, I can feel the lactic acid returning to my muscles in my legs. The pain seems to be spreading each day.... It's just so bizarre. That said, I felt decent during my run today. I didn't really push myself, I just wanted to get it done. I had contemplated not running at all, so I was just glad to get out and do it. I really, really hope I'm not getting sick, because that would mean that just about the time we leave for vacation, my kids will come down with it. Lovely. Anyway, I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself and just take it day by day. In good news....one of my lovely "bloggy friends" Mel is hosting another great giveaway. The t-shirts and items at Remanents are just too cool. You can find her awesome blog HERE. I love my bloggy world!

Day 12 - Ice Bath

Yep, that's right. Only 12 days into my marathon training and I had to succumb to an ice bath. Friday night after dinner we went to the park with the kids. My quads starting getting kinda tight, so I would periodically stretch them. As the night went on, and after I'd been sitting for a while, the pain would get worse and it was starting to wrap around to the back of my legs - like the top of my hamstrings. I took 600 mg ibuprofen and went to bed. I only had 7 miles to do this morning, so I went ahead with the scheduled run. My sister couldn't run with me and I left the dingo at home so I could carry my water/gatorade. I haven't run fully "alone" in quite some time. I actually enjoyed it. Turns out I saw 2 deer, 1 bunny, and multiple squirrels and dogs. All of those things make for a very distracted dingo! Don't tell him, but I'm kinda glad he wasn't with me. In any case, I was feeling pretty good throughout the run. My upper legs were definitely tight and still aching when I got started, but the pain dissipated the more I ran. Until I hit about mile 6. Now, the course was pretty hilly, so maybe the hills exacerbated it? My quads and hamstrings just felt like giant blocks of cement. It felt like a charlie horse that wouldn't relent. I kept going, knowing that once I stopped, that was it. I figured I would experience this problem eventually while running....but I thought it would be during the last 8 miles of the marathon! So with my house in sight and my iPod showing 7.1 miles completed, I stopped. OH THE PAIN! I hobbled up our front steps and into the house. I took anther 600 mg of ibuprofen. Besides my legs, I felt fantastic. My lungs/heart could have run forever today and I wasn't the least bit tired yet. So I called my sister (who's a PT) and asked what to do. It's rather odd, in that I did nothing yesterday exercise-wise. This pain literally came out of nowhere. I thought for sure I had the beginning stages of flesh eating bacteria. Yes, I work in a hospital and know too much (but not enough)! She suggested icing, as a way to speed recovery. I googled an article on ice baths and that's what I did. OH THE PAIN!! But this was a good pain, as I knew it would ultimately help. I grabbed a magazine and read in the ice bath for about 15 minutes. I couldn't stand it anymore. I didn't have enough crushed ice to fill up the tub as much as I would have liked. Essentially the tops of my quads never even touched the water, but I figured it was better than nothing. I got out of the tub and wrapped up in a towel and climbed into bed. I could feel the blood rushing back to my muscles. I was praying that this was a good sign that I would be better! I layed around for an hour or so and then got in the shower. I felt about 75% better after the shower. I could walk without hobbling and transitions from sitting to standing were much better. As I type this, I still feel decent. It's just so random....and that scares me. Tomorrow is a scheduled day off, but I may walk just a bit to keep my legs moving. Hubby is gone for the day studying. I don't know what the kids and I will get into.... I'd really just like to lay around, but I know that won't be happening! So, my third week of training comes to an end. October can't get here soon enough!

Day 11 - Dripping Wet

Today was not a good day to head out with out my trusted Sweaty Band
. I guess I was just so excited to go running this morning I forgot....but about 1.5 miles into my run, I realized it was HUMID. Got home (dripping wet) to see that although it's only 71 degrees, the 94% humidity was killer. Despite the humidity, I was determined to get in a tempo run. I don't have a fancy watch (and rarely even run with one....maybe part of my problem or lack of speed) and I really never even pay attention to my time. During my training for the Flying Pig, we followed a Jeff Galloway program and his beginner running plan just called for 30-45 minute runs through the week (and of course a long run on the weekend). Every 3 weeks we did his Magic Mile time trial, so to speak, but that's the only time I ever looked at my pace. So today, to see that I could actually do a sub 10:00min/mile pace was invigorating! I still have a long way to go, I know! The dingo and I did 3.5 miles in total and are set to do 7 miles this weekend. I hope we have decent weather! We passed something odd along our course today....This one house had about 5-6 boxes of liquor sitting out at the curb. Now, this isn't the *best* part of town, but it's not horrible! I was thinking either 1) they had robbed a liquor store or 2) some poor alcoholic's stash was just dismissed! Kinda weird....But not as weird as the pack of bums that my sister and I passed last weekend on our run, though. They were clearly homeless (dirty, stinky, carrying all their belongings) but they were dressed as if they had robbed some college kids or something. Trendy t-shirts, jeans and flip flops. As they were coming towards us, I actually thought they were college kids! Guess the thrift stores/homeless shelters are getting some good donations in this time of economic downturn?!
Anyway, next week we'll be leaving for Lakeside. I'm excited, as it's our only real family vacation this summer, but I have lots to do in preparation. I'm also excited about running up there. I'm hoping I can find a nice, long path along the lake, to do my scheduled 8-miler. Should be fun! And as a side note, please keep Kyle and his sweet family in your prayers. He's fighting the complications of ALL. Here's his website: http://www.caringbridge.org/co/kylel/ His story, much like all cancer kids', is just heartbreaking.

Confessions of a Fat Dietitian

Since today is technically a day off (okay, so I did do some Pilates core work), I will not bore you with an account of today's run. Instead, I'm going to share with you something that I wrote, shortly after losing my 60 pounds. It's a bit long, but it essentially tells the story of how I got to where I am today (physically). Enjoy!

I’m not really sure how it happened… Call it complacency (I have a husband who adores me no matter what), call it being overwhelmed with life, call it lazy…. Any way you slice it though, I was grossly overweight and unwilling to change. The day I checked into the hospital to have Caroline, I weighed 232 pounds. Funny thing is that I thought I was doing good! I felt great (for a 9 month-pregnant woman) and had only gained 15 pounds, on bedrest even!! The “baby weight” came off easily. Nursing every 2 hours around the clock for 4 weeks will do that to a woman! I had wanted to get down to 200 pounds for my 6 week post partum check up. I think I was maybe 6 pounds away from that goal. I stayed in “mommy survival mode” way too long. You know, you do just enough to get by each day. In just over 2 years, we had 2 children and a major (and very stressful) move. I knew I was getting bigger and bigger. I just had no desire to change it. I was addicted to food. Food was my comfort, my strength, my relaxation. Each day I got ready to go to work I hoped the outfit I had chosen would miraculously camouflage the obese body I had hiding under it. I was clearly fooling no one. I struggled each day at work as I taught the pre-op classes for people getting ready to have gastric bypass surgery. Some of these patients had only slightly higher BMI’s than myself. It was embarrassing. I work in the acute care setting and each week at our team meeting the critical care doc would tell me not to “overfeed” my critically ill, obese, vent-dependent patients (they don’t require as much nutrient intake as other critically ill patients). Clearly he saw my love of food and eating. I assumed he just didn’t want me to pass that along to my poor, unsuspecting patients (which I never did, by the way). In May, we went on vacation with my parents. My Mom did Weight Watchers about 5 years ago and has stuck to it. My Mom and Dad ate great the whole vacation. Chris and I…not so much. It felt glutenous to eat so poorly in front of them. I looked completely hideous in a swimsuit. I was embarrassed to be seen on the beach. I was a disgrace and the pictures we took on that vacation prove it! A few weeks after returning home from vacation, we attended a class at church to prepare us for dedicating Braden and Caroline. The teacher struck a chord with me that night. “Parents are a child’s most valuable teacher and role model”, he said. What had I been teaching my children? Was it good, bad, just okay? Regardless, I didn’t like the image I was portraying. Someone who thought so poorly of herself that she was blatently disrespecting herself and God. God has given us one chance on this earth. Was I making the most of it? Was I setting a healthy example for my children? Did I want to have the guilt of long-term health effects of obesity robbing me of time on this earth with my children? The answer was a sobering “no”. It was shortly thereafter that I made the decision to change. I began preparing myself. I had never fought an addiction. I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to do it. The day following Mother’s Day, I made the commitment to a better future. I started by just simply counting calories and watching portion sizes. On Wednesday, I admitted to my Mom that I was dieting. I was embarrassed that I needed help losing the weight. She offered to go to WW with me. She wanted to lose a few pounds before her upcoming cruise. Thursday night we went to the meeting. I was so ashamed. Here I was a Registered Dietitian, seeking help in an area that I was suppose to be an expert in! I felt like a complete failure professionally and personally. I weighed in at 215.5 pounds. I was over 60 pounds away from my “goal weight”. To make matters worse, the first person I see in the meeting class room is a social worker from my work. Great…now everyone knows I’m a failure. I went home that night and figured out how many points were in everything in our pantry. It was fun! Since I was still nursing Caroline full time, they allowed me extra points for nursing. I think I started with 32 or so points! Professionally I knew I should really only weigh myself once a week. By the second or third day of following the plan though, I was curious to see how I was doing. I gave in and weighed myself. Low and behold, I had lost some weight! It was just the motivation I needed to continue. I lost over 5 pounds the first week. I felt great! Great enough to even start exercising. I started out by walking Cooper. The poor dog hadn’t had a decent walk in 2 years! Chris had also decided to get on board with eating healthy and joined the rec center that week. We set up a work out schedule for the 2 of us. Chris got Monday, Wednesday and Friday to work out in the morning before work. I would get up on Tuesday and Thursday (my days off) and work out. After just one week of doing this, I felt even better…and knew it would help me to lose the weight even more quickly. I remember a coworker telling me that there was an exercise TV on demand channel. No excuses there. It was ready, whenever I was ready. No loading the kids up in the car to go to the gym, no changing nap schedules so I could attend a class, no extra money out of my pocket. I could do it at my discretion! I then started doing one of those videos on the mornings that Chris was at the gym. I even found Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred video. I had heard great things about this video and was excited to try it! I was now working out 5 times a week and the weight was coming off very easily. By the end of the first month of doing WW, I had lost a total of 17.8 pounds. As a reward, I got my hair cut and highlighted. I felt fantastic!! People had just started to notice I was losing weight. I knew I was going to have to step it up a bit though, if I wanted to continue at this rate. I added a long (and hard) Saturday morning work out to my week. I also started taking Cooper on a long walk on Sunday evenings. I was now working out 7 days a week. I was addicted! I could count on one hand the number of days that I hadn’t worked out, in 6 weeks. We walked all over Oakwood. We started out on the quaint east side and then ventured down to the northern end near the University of Dayton campus. It was hilly and more challenging than our previous routes. More time efficient! Eventually we began to explore the beautiful west side, through the hilly and lush terrain of the city’s most amazing mansions, down cobble stone streets, past old Hawthorne Hill and into a tranquil sanctuary in my mind. Not only did I enjoy the physical benefits of getting out and walking, but it was my “me” time. I loaded up my iPod with Kanye (amongst others) and began to believe “that, that don’t kill me, will only make me stronger”. By the end of the second month, I had lost a total of 29.2 pounds. People could really see a difference now, and it was all I thought about. My clothes hung off of me. My butt was virtually gone! I refused to give in and buy new clothes, yet. I was on a mission to reach my goal! It was getting tougher and tougher though. I was hungry… a lot! I had begun weaning Caroline at this point, so I had to also wean my extra nursing points. I was determined though. I started to run short distances of my usual walk. I have always loathed running, but I knew it was the most time efficient way to burn calories. Getting up early to work out was getting exhausting, but I loved knowing for the rest of the day, that my work out was done. By 3 months, I had lost 35.8 pounds. I was now able to fit into a pair of jeans that I hadn’t worn since my junior year of college. The weight loss had definitely slowed though and I began to get discouraged. I didn’t feel like I was doing anything differently? My family tried to encourage me. It’s not normal to lose that much weight in only 3 months. In all honesty, I had thought it would take a full year to lose all my weight. But after a successful first 2 months, I was greedy. I wanted the weight gone, and I wanted it gone ASAP! I reigned in my “careless” eating. I stopped stealing a fry here, or a goldfish there. I needed to get back on track. Chris had made me a nice work out area in the basement a while back, but there was no cable access. I started renting exercise DVDs from the library. While I did find some videos that were really good, I thought the key to my initial success may have been due to Jillian Michael’s intense work out routines. I broke down and bought my own copy of 30 Day Shred. I also bought myself a new pair of jeans…a pair of Seven brand, size 10 boot cut jeans. Now, they fit really snug, but at least I could get them buttoned and my thighs actually fit into something boot cut for once! I had another incentive to continue with my weight loss. I set a new goal of Thanksgiving for reaching my goal weight. Everyone at work by this point had clearly noticed my weight loss. They wanted to know my secret. I was ashamed to tell them I was doing WW. I attributed it all to my basement (and walk/run) workouts! It was embarrassing to tell people how much weight I had lost. A dietitian shouldn’t ever weigh that much, I thought. At 175 pounds, I was finally below 130% of my ideal body weight. Significant to dietitians only, in that above that percentage, you have to use an adjusted body weight to calculate nutrient needs. ALL of my body tissues were utilizing nutrients at the same rate. I began to feel not-so-huge, but still a long way from being considered “thin”. Chris was amazed at my body transformation. He couldn’t keep his hands off of me! I began to wonder just how fit I could make myself. Could I have a six pack? Could I get rid of my love handles completely? Could I wear a sleeveless shirt with complete confidence? Would I be able to wear a bikini next summer? I continued with my 7 day a week workout routine. Along my journey I had thought multiple times about quitting going to the WW weigh ins. Did I need that accountability anymore? Time didn’t allow me to actually stay for the meetings, so I was essentially spending $12 a week for someone to weigh me. I wanted to see it through, though. I wanted to become a “lifetime member”. 155 pounds was ingrained in my mind. I.would.make.it. By 4 months, I had lost a total of 45 pounds.

In an effort to step up the weight loss, I starting running more. I still hated running, but I needed an activity that burned a lot of calories! Within a few weeks, I could easily run a mile. It became an obsession for me. Could I actually be a runner? It was then that I decided to start training for what I thought was a Thanksgiving Day 5K. Come to find out, it’s actually 5 MILES. I had 2 months to train for it, and I knew I could do it. My workout schedule became: Monday – 30 DS level 3, Tuesday – Run, Wednesday - 30 DS level 2, Thursday – Run, Friday – 30 DS level 1 (with heavier weights), Saturday – weight train/run. Sunday, I decided I just had to rest. I was starting to get burned out. I needed a break. The guilt I felt (and still do feel) on Sundays was horrible. I’m guessing because of all the cardio and weight training that I had been doing for the past 4 months, running came easily to me. I felt so strong and powerful. This was definitely a new feeling for me! By 5 months into my weight loss journey, I could run 5 miles and I had lost a total of 53 pounds. I was 7 pounds away from my goal…and Thanksgiving was only 5 weeks away. Getting up early in the mornings to run was cold and dreadful some days, but I had a goal to meet! On the bright side, I was enjoying buying new clothes. The size 10 jeans fit perfectly now and I was even buying size 8’s in dress pants. I never, ever thought I’d see the day! I loved it! I kept plugging away and with Thanksgiving one week away (and 6 months into my journey), I hit 154.5 pounds. I don’t know what I thought would happen when I hit that “magic number”, but the truth is that I felt no different at 159 pounds vs 155 pounds. It was just a number. I felt fantastic and healthy. I was running 5.5 miles, 3 days a week now (and weight training the other 3 days). The Turkey Trot was just around the corner. I was afraid that that too would end up being anti-climatic. Had I built it up too much?

In any case it all has been a major accomplishment for myself! My very generous Mom, “rewarded” me with a shopping spree….$1000 to buy new clothes. I was ecstatic! I could finally have decent clothes that looked nice on me! I can also finally hold my head high as a dietitian! I know my weight battle will be with me the rest of my life. I know it will always be something I’ll have to work at. Being healthy isn’t such a bad habit to have though…is it?

Day 10 - Hills

The dingo and I did our usual Tuesday Hill loop today. I decided to change it up a bit though, and run the route in the opposite direction. It's always amazing to me how different the perspective is, just by changing directions. The curious pain in my right achilles tendon all but disappeared. My left shin was a bit tender, but other than that, no complaints. It was chillier than I expected. 55 degrees, 34% humidity and clear skies. I felt great on this run. I felt like a real runner today. I needed some confidence back. The hills took us over 4.5 miles in duration with a climb of 250 feet. I even had enough kick in my legs to put in some speedwork in the end. Okay, that was mainly because I had over-shot my distance and hubby had to leave for work by 7:00am today! That said, I still only averaged 10:02/mile. Gosh I'm slow. I used to be okay with that....until I started reading about all my speedy bloggy friends. Just a little friendly competition, I suppose! Then I began to wonder if my sister was embarrased to run with me? You see, she ran cross country and track (full scholarship, I might add) for a Division I school. She must be so humbled to have to run with me....someone who until 11 months ago couldn't run more than 25 feet without wanting to die. I guess that puts in a bit of perspective, but still. I have even more admiration for my big sis.
With my workout done for the day, I need to move on. Braden has preschool today and the appraiser is coming over at Noon for our re-finance. All fingers crossed that our house appraises well! It's looking to be another beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Day 9 - Back on Track...Hopefully

It was another great running day in Ohio! 60 degrees, only 69% humidity, sunny skies. These are my favorite days. The dingo and I ran our usual Monday loop. 3.5 miles in duration. Had a little bit of left shin pain, that subsided within a few minutes. I had another curious pain though in my right achilles tendon (inner side). It actually just felt tight and did subside a bit. I'll have to research better ways to stretch there. My day "off" didn't really seem like much of a day off. I guess that's how it always goes, though. Your vacation or the weekends always go much too quickly. Maybe that will mean that October will be here before I know it! I still have so much training ahead, though. It's a bit overwhelming on days like Saturday when I just felt so bad and I really doubt my ability to do this thing! I read the next chapter in TNRMT. It reminded me that people that had NO running experience before were able to complete a marathon. Surely I can. Even if it means a bit of walking here and there. Does that make me less of a runner?

Day 8 - "Humidity"

I knew saying that today was going to be an "easy" day would bite me in the butt. I woke up to overcast skies, 74 degrees, with 89% humidity. I also woke up to an ominous belly. Never good on a running day! Note to self: pizza is not safe the night before a run. Maybe by the time I run this marathon, I will have figured out what exactly I can tolerate the night before. Because we were going to be running in an area that was not so "restroom friendly" I opted to take a half tablet of Immodium....just in case. I was also running with my amphipod, with a mixture of 40% gatorade/ 60% water, for the first time and just wasn't sure how my GI system would handle that. You see, I had quite the issues while training for my Half. I didn't take any water or gatorade until mile 8 and then not again until mile 11. Not very smart, but I was just so worried about having to stop and use the restroom. I should have been worried about dehydration. But I digress! So my sister and I took off for the UD/Old River loop. The first few miles were downhill and not bad. As soon as we leveled off though, I could just tell I was a bit "off". We kept on moving though until we started up a hill - 1 mile in distance, with an elevation change of 244 ft. 1/3 of the way up I just had to walk. I was starting to wheeze (had forgotten to use my inhaler) and I felt bad. So we walked a 1/3 of the hill and then ran the final 1/3. It's weird because although my legs felt a bit heavy going up the hills, my body otherwise felt great - no shin pain, no glute pain, no knee pain. It was my lungs and breathing that limited me today. It's days like this that I really begin to doubt myself. Of course after the fact, the run never seems as bad....and talking with hubby about M-day, I get all excited and re-motivated. So in total, we did 6 miles.
When we got home, the kiddos were waiting for us. My sister came in for some water and then went on home to get on with her day. We had some time to fill before the family pictures, so hubby and I loaded the kids up in the double stroller and ran another 0.3 miles to the market for some much-deserved donuts and coffee. The kids love when I run and push them in the double stroller. They don't really like when I walk/push them, though. On the way home, Braden decided he wanted to "run like Mommy". And wouldn't you know, that little guy ran the entire way home....in his crocs. At one point he told me "Mommy, I can't breathe!" and I asked him if he need to take a break. His response "No Mommy! No breaks!" The kid is hardcore already at 4 years old. I'm so glad my running has inspired him to exercise and "get all sweaty" as he says! I'm hoping hubby will be able to be at the finish line with the kids. Having them there will mean everything, and if they could cross the finish line with me, even better! So with week #2 in the books....I'm off for some family time and a break from bloggy world!

I must be sick!

I think most runners probably are obsessed. Maybe it's just our nature. However, hubby and I will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary in August. He'd like to get away for a 4-day weekend to someplace warm and tropical (sans kids). There's really only one weekend to go, since he's taking classes and all, and that weekend happens to be a 14-miler. Now, my longest distance to date is 13.1 miles. So not only would this be the longest run I've ever done, but it would be in a strange place (we're thinking the Bahamas). Am I completely SICK to cancel a relaxing trip because of my marathon training??!! Well, a lot of things would have to fall into place anyway....including me getting the day off from work. I just don't know.

In other news, I've found a couple new blogs to follow. One in particular (Mission to Another Marathon) is hosting a giveaway....which includes a pair of Recovery Socks (if you notice, they're on my "wish list")! How cool would that be to win?! In any case, I'm just thrilled to have another running blog to follow. The blogging world could very easily take over my real world! Tomorrow we have a 6-miler planned. Should be easy (ha, famous last words). I think I'm going to try and run with my water bottle, since I won't have the dingo. Figure I need to start training with proper hydration! Now if only my GI system cooperates....

Day 7

I woke up to the sound of gentle rain. GREAT sleeping weather. Then it dawned on me that I had to run today. I scratched my plan to wear shorts (could only imagine the chaffing....) and pulled on my trusty running capris, my new shirt (yk, *the* shirt) and my running hat. I hate running with a hat on, but today I didn't mind it. 65 degrees, 80% humidity and light rain. Not too bad, but definitely more humidity than I care for. I was scheduled to run 3 miles, ended up doing about 3.5. I even managed to put in a few intervals. Cooper just can't keep up with sprints! My left shin hurt a bit (need to ice it tonight!) and by the end of the run (which was about .4 miles uphill) my left glute hurt. The pain has resolved with stretching, but I thought that was weird. Yesterday, as part of my cross-training, I did Barry's Bootcamp Arms and Abs. OUCH!! My arms were tired yesterday, like to the point I couldn't raise them over my head without assistance. Today, I just hurt. Guess I'm not as "fit" as I thought, which is a good reminder to keep my workouts changed up. Just because I can do all of Jillian's videos, doesn't mean I can do all others! I can't believe week 2 is almost coming to an end. I can't wait for October to get here....I have so much enthusiasm and momentum right now. I don't want to lose it!

Day 6

It was another great running day! 60 degrees, partly sunny. I did 4 miles - West Oakwood/Kettering hills. I think I know what sets my shin pain off! It's definitely the hills! Other than my shins, I didn't have any aches or pains. Cooper was back up to speed, too. Guess we all have "off" days! I bought a new shirt to run in. I'm thinking it may be *the* shirt I race in. What to wear consumed way more time than it should have for the Pig. I'm contemplating putting my name on it for race day. I'd also like to put a picture of Taylor on the back with something like "Taylor Gives Me Strength". I thought of her countless times throughout the Pig. If she can fight cancer....I can run a marathon!'
In Mommy news....I think my kids might kill each other....or else I might kill them. Okay, not really. But somedays they just can't get along worth a darn! Am I crazy for wanting another one to add to the mix? Caroline has a shriek (okay a YELL) that could break glass. Braden has a temper like none other. He's so stubborn. But then he has a sweet, gentle side that makes you want to cuddle up with him. Same with Caroline. She's such a good cuddler....sucking her thumb, with your "finger!!" in her grips. I try to not let the naughty moments overshadow the kind moments, but some days it's just hard.

Day 5

Today begins week #2. With a good running plan in place, I decided it was time to begin the mental training that goes along with running a marathon. With my sister still being questionable to run the full marathon with me, I wanted to make sure I had something that I could train "with", something that would support me throughout my journey. I found that in a new training plan and book. After talking with one of my friends who had completed her first marathon in 2003, she recommended The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer (TNRMT). It's still a 16 week plan, but the mileage is a little bit less. I figured this was better for me, since I'm still pretty new to running and would hate to earn an over-use injury from training too much, too soon. I'll have to scan in my mileage plan in to the blog. I might adjust it a bit, since I would really feel better getting in at least one 20-miler before the big day. It also addresses the mental component of training for a marathon. I'll have one chapter to read each week, to prepare me for that week's training. I plan on doing that each Sunday.
Day 5 (under my new training plan) called for a 3 mile run. My run ended up being almost 3.7 miles. It was a great morning. Clear skies, sunshine and 61 degrees. It's days like this that I feel like I could run forever. Cooper was a bit sluggish. Not sure what that was about. I didn't really have any aches or pains during the run. I tried to incorporate this week's "slogan" from TNRMT "it doesn't matter". As in "My legs hurt a bit going up this hill....but it doesn't matter". Mind over matter so to speak. Worked great and gave me just the motivation I needed to finish my run strong. It also talks about visualizing a positive outcome. I get chills and teary-eyed just thinking about crossing that finish line. Is that weird? I just want it so bad.

Day 4

So, the first week of training comes to an end. Today was a five-miler. Note to self: Taco Bell is never a good idea, the night before a run....no matter how small the distance! I thought I could manage it, since it's such a short distance, but nope! Cooper got his first mid-run visit to the bathroom. Thank goodness the bathrooms were open at the HS track!! I felt good otherwise during the run. I really have a lot of momentum and excitement about taking on this marathon. I feel really confident that this is something I WILL accomplish. I've talked with so many people who say that Columbus is such a "good, little marathon", "well supported", "fun". I sure hope so! My shins didn't hurt a bit yesterday or today. I'll probably ice them later, just to take extra precaution. The more I think about getting new shoes, the more I think I really do just need extra arch support. My arches have been kinda "achy" ever since I got these shoes. Hopefully that will get me through to September. In lieu of my day of "rest" yesterday, I chose to do a 30 minute weight training video, concentrating on arms and chest. Of course my lower back/obliques are the sorest! It felt good to do something, though. Tomorrow, Sunday, will be my true day of rest. No guilt, I promise!

End of week one total mileage: 19 miles

Body~Mind~Soul~26.2

Day 3

Today was another "easy 4 mile" day. It was also another great day to run....58 degrees! We did a shortened Patterson Park loop. I felt pretty good the entire time. I've found that once I get in my mind what distance I'm going...that's it! I don't know if that's good or bad, but there's days that after "5 miles" or whatever distance I've decided to run that day, I'm just DONE. I fear that I'll never be able to complete 26 miles if I'm so done after such a short distance! I really hope it's just mind set thing. I had minimal shin pain while running today. A visit to my local running store (Up and Running) today to get a handheld water bottle led me to a discussion with the owner about inserts for my shoes to help with shin splints. She really advised me to just get new shoes. I'm thinking my current shoes have no more than 150 miles on them. Shoes are expensive. But I would be devastated if an injury kept me from completing the marathon. So, until I scrape up enough money to buy new shoes, I plan on being extra vigilante with stretching/icing/strengthening. She also encouraged me to cross train at least 1-2 days a week. Yesterday's dilema is resolved!

Body~Mind~Soul~ 26.2

"Rest"

Why is the assignment of "rest" so hard for me? I have worked out 6 days a week for the past year. Even during my half marathon training. It's become second nature. Obviously I'm going to be running a lot more for the next 16 weeks, so it's really just the weight training I worry about. But is it really so much the loss of muscle tone that I'm worried about or am I just worried I'm going to get lazy and never want to return to working out 6 days a week? Then I worry about how much I eat. I love to eat. Exercising is what keeps me from putting my weight back on. Ugh....I dread that thought. I keep telling myself not to push too hard. My shins are still sore. I'll be running 30-40 miles a week in the next few months. Maybe I can just call this a "trial separation" from exercising 6 days a week? Gosh, is this an illness....

In any case, I iced my shins last night before bed and they feel pretty good today. Tomorrow I'll give my run 100% intensity.