Saturday, June 30, 2007

Under Pressure

Hello! Sorry I've been MIA all week. I have no excuse, work is just really busy and yadda yadda yadda. I did start my weekly half marathon training though, and I lost 2 lbs this week! So that's a good start. The training is going really well, and although I'm one of the slowest people in the group, it's okay because I'm doing it, and that's what matters.

This morning we ran five miles. Actually, I think that's the longest I've ever run in my entire life. All this working out, and I've never run that far. Wow. So it was tough, and I was definitely struggling by the end up the last hill, but compared to last Saturday, I was a super star. So that feels good.

I've been reading a lot about nutrition and what not for longer distance running and I've decided that this may not be conducive to my desire to lose weight. I know a lot of runners have a tendency to over compensate for the calories they burn during their runs, and I have a feeling I might be one of those people. Just because I burned almost 1000 calories today doesn't mean I have license to go eat anything I want.

So I'm going to have to work on that. I'm going to have to increase quantity slightly to keep up with training, but it needs to be good stuff. No ice cream! Okay maybe sometimes.

It's weird how my insecurities really come pouring out when I'm running, but then suddenly, whether it's halfway through or when I'm finished, I feel so incredible and confident. I swear on the drive home this morning, I was crazy. Maybe my brain didn't have enough glucose or something, but I was trying to do the math and figure out how fast I was running (I didn't stop my watch right after we finished, but I think about 12 minute miles, maybe 12:30). Anyway, so I was trying to figure out the math, and before I knew it, I had driven probably 6 miles. It's like my mind goes to this far away place after a run, and all of my cares just fly away. And I can focus on silly math instead of worrying about my job or my weight or my house or all of those other things.

I learned I should probably pay more attention when I'm driving home, but I also learned that running is really great therapy for me. Life seems okay after a run. Like all is good and right with the world.

Don't ya just love exercise. I think this commercial explains it nicely.



I'm off to H0me Dep0t, lunch, then a nice nap. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

16 Weeks...

So this morning I woke up at 6:30 or so, after tossing and turning most of the night and generally getting a horrible night's sleep. I don't know if I was just anxious about running this morning, or if my body was revolting from all the cheese I had on my pizza for dinner last night, or what it was, but I just did not sleep.

So as you can imagine, by about 9:00, I was feeling pretty tired. Let me back up though. I arrived at the meeting location by about 7:45, because we were told registration was between 7:30 and 9:00 and to get! there! early!

Well I got there early. Way too early it seems, because things weren't quite as busy as they made it seem. I picked up my fun team Denver marathon training outfits (baby blue, not super cute) and changed in the locker room. After waiting around for an hour or so, the coaches finally started talking and we separated into teams.

My team is made up of people who are doing the marathon or half marathon and plan to run 10, 11 or higher minute miles. After doing some fun warm ups and calisthenics, we finally set out to run at about 10:15 or so. And by this point, it was HOT. So hot. Ridiculously hot.

But I was okay. I was going to do this. My coach, C. had decided in advance she wanted our team to turn around at the 3.5 mile marker just because of the heat and our late start, so I didn't really have the option to do the 5 miler. Which it turns out, was just fine by me.

I started out pretty good I thought, but on what I now realize was a slight downhill, thus the easiness of the pace. I met a girl who lives in my neighborhood who was about my pace (she ended up finishing a little before I did, but we're close). We ran together until the turnaround, and that's when things started getting rough.

Just before the turnaround was a HUGE hill, and with the sun beating down, I started struggling. A lot of people did though. I think I let my heart rate get a little too high at this point, and I started dying for some water. There was Gatorade at the turnaround, but it just tasted too sweet and sugary for me.

The way home down the hill was okay, but by the end when we started going uphill again, I had to stop and walk quite a bit. Of course I forgot my heart rate monitor/watch, so I have no idea how long it ended up taking me. I would guess at least 45 minutes, if not more.

I met my mom and little sis for lunch, came home and showered and crashed into a nap for 2+ hours. I just took the dogger on a walk and I'm contemplating dinner since the boy is headed to a Bachelor Party (yikes). I'm kind of tempted to just do a Lean Cuisine or something since it's easy, but that seems kind of lame for a Saturday night. I should probably at least have something that requires an oven or a stovetop, right?

Overall I'm not super happy with how the first day of training went, but honestly, I'm just glad I got it done. I think next week will be better; I won't be nervous about meeting people so hopefully I'll sleep better, and we start at 7, not 10, so it should be quite a bit cooler.

The one thing I did realize today is that I have NOT been pushing myself on hills. In fact, I don't think I've even really attempted any hills. So if we continue to do hilly routes, that will be a big change for me. But I think it's a change I'm willing to embrace. I'm excited to have a team to train with, and I've already met a few women who I think will be great running partners. Now to get through the next 16 weeks!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Chillin

Had a great week this week until today, and then I think the stress of work and about a million other things caught up with me and I caved at lunch and ordered a grilled cheese. And then the boy and I had pizza for dinner. But I counted up the calories and I'm actually stil only at about 1900, so not as bad as it could have been. Especially considering I start the half marathon training tomorrow. I think I'm burning calories right now just freaking out about it.

Weird how one great week can do so much for your self-esteem. I look exactly like I did last Friday, but I just feel better. A couple of good runs, some spinach and grilled chicken and suddenly I'm all confident and fabulous. Yeah, I overdid the cheese a little bit today, but eh. It's cool.

So tonight the plan is go to bed early, then I'm heading down south for my first training run in the morning. There's a 5 mile option, with a 3.5 mile turnaround for those who want to take it. I think I'm going to plan to do the 5 miles and use the turnaround if I really need it. I figure I should start out optimistic though, right?

Watching School of Rock right now - love that movie. One great rock show can change the world...

Monday, June 18, 2007

Monday

Hello! Guess what?

I'm writing from my brand new Macbook! I'm so excited about it I could just throw up. And also, it has a camera, so there may be a video post from yours truly sometime soon if I can get up the nerve. Not yet though.

So I'm feeling much better after my little procedure on Friday. I was sort of crampy all day Saturday and basically felt icky, so I didn't go on my planned run. And then I didn't on Sunday either. No real reason, I just didn't. But eh, such is life, and I got back out there tonight and ran for 50 minutes. Well, I walked some of it too but I basically ran the whole thing and feel pretty damn good about it.

I'm starting to freak out though, because this Saturday begins my half-marathon training. I've been getting the emails about which pace group I'd like to join, and I really want to say I'll be running sub-11's, but I don't think that's really realistic. But then I'm thinking, hell yeah it's realistic, that's why we train. So I don't know yet, but I'll see.

Food is off and on, but I'm hanging in. Tonight I tried some Barilla Plus pasta, it's made with extra protein and Omega Fatty Acids and to tell you the truth, it wasn't that bad. Coupled with some organic spaghetti sauce, a zucchini and some leftover turkey, all in all it was a healthy, satisfying meal. Now to avoid the ice cream...

Hope everyone is feeling well!

Friday, June 15, 2007

IUD Day

Wow. I r hurting.

Warning: This post may be too much information - it deals with a lot of "feminine" issues.
..................

Okay so I've warned you all, and so hi! if you're still here.

The reason I'm in lots of pain this fine, beautiful Friday afternoon is that I had an IUD inserted today. Let me start from the beginning though.

Up until about six months ago, the first I had ever heard about IUDs was that they were dangerous and caused infections. But at about that time, a good friend of mine had talked with her gyno and decided she was going to go off of birth control and get on the IUD.

I was intrigued, so I looked into it.

And I became even more intrigued. Did you know that the IUD is the most commonly used form of birth control in the world? And in places like China, people use it almost exclusively.

Back in the 70's it apparently got a very bad rap here in the States, and even though the technology has improved quite a bit, people still either just don't know about, or are afraid to use it. Or else maybe I've just been living under a rock? I dunno.

I've been on birth control since I was 16 years old (I know, way too young). I'm 27 now and the thought of pumping all of those hormones into my body for more than 11 years now sort of freaks me out. Not to mention the annoyance of having to take a pill every day and the annoyance of paying 30 bucks a month for said pill.

So I asked my doctor about the IUD at my last annual exam and we decided together that I was a good candidate for Mirena. It lasts for 5 years, and while it does have hormones, its a very minimal amount that goes directly into your uterus, rather than flowing all over your body like the hormones in the pill.

Not having ever had a baby however, means my uterus is a little tiny baby uterus. And to get that IUD up there was a process today. It didn't take very long, but damn did it hurt. I had to sit and drink an apple juice box like a little kid until I was recovered enough to walk to the car.

And now, I'm sitting on my couch, feeling really lazy and guilty for not being outside on this beautiful day, enduring waves of intense cramping. The nurse told me the cramps should be mostly gone by tomorrow night, so I'm hopeful I'll feel better soon.

Anyway, so that's my IUD experience. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm looking forward to no more birth control, and no more hormones and no more cramping. According to the literature I could have spotting for up to six months, but I'm excited because many women lose their periods entirely. Now wouldn't that be nice?

The boy is going to get us dinner, so I'm trying to think of a healthy choice that's easy for him too. Then, I'm going to get a good night's sleep, run if I'm feeling okay in the morning, and hit the Highland Street Fair, which is an awesome fair in our neighborhood that runs all day tomorrow.

Thanks for sticking in to hear all the deets on my lady parts, and have a great weekend! I'll leave you with a pic of us in Austin!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Little Engine?

Things have been going so well over the past couple of days - and after eating out for dinner tonight, I realize that I just feel so much better when I eat at home. We ate at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant tonight and just shared a couple of small plates, nothing excessive and I left feeling satisfied, but not overly full.

But I just don't feel AS good as I did last night. Last night I had the magical combination of protein, carbs and fat and I think I felt great physically, but I also felt great mentally. I felt almost smug with my healthy dinner.

Tonight I didn't have that smug feeling. I mean, I did okay and its probably fine, but I dunno. I feel a little bloated or something. I had some sangria, and now I'm obsessing about the calorie count. I think I just need to get over it - I should be able to have a glass of sangria once in a while right. But it's weird, when you're in the groove, any little deviance from the norm seems scary. I guess I still feel like I could go off track at any moment, and I'm scared that I might do that.

Tomorrow's a new day though, and I'm going to do everything I can to make it a great one. Workout will be a run around Sloan's Lake before work. Lunch is with a client, but I'll choose a salad. I can keep this up. I can and I will. Choo choo choo choo...

Monday, June 11, 2007

Talent

It is mother effing hot in Denver right now. I guess I can't complain because at least its a dry heat. Or that's what people say right? Whatever. It's still freaking hot. I went to the elementary school and did my squats and sprints and what not after work and I was honestly just going through the motions tonight, but at least I got it done. Then I came home and half-assed dinner, some bland chicken and bell peppers, but the risotto was delicious.

Why does it always have to be the risotto that's delicious?

Story of my life.

So I'm watching America's Got Talent. Complete waste of time but what else am I going to do on a Monday night? Something productive, you say? Yeah right.

Anyway, some of these people have talent. Some have amazing talents. Some have crappy talents and should get new talents. But at least they're trying to have talent. I really liked the Father/Son combo who basically did handstands on each others hands. Straight arms too! That takes some amazing upper body strength. The guys who danced to the song with their pecs were pretty hilarious too.

But it made me start thinking - do I have any talents?

I mean, yeah, I have things I'm good at. I think I'm fairly smart, I was always good at school. I'm pretty good at my job. I know a damn lot about health and nutrition (nevermind if it shows or not). I am a fast reader. I like cake. But those aren't talents; they're just things about me.

I can't play guitar. I certainly can't sing. I'm not the dog whisperer and I suck at handstands.

I guess not everyone can be a superstar though, and honestly, I'm okay without having some fantastic talent. In fact, I think I'd hate to be able to do something that made everybody look at me. That would mean I'd have to brush my hair every single day.

So do you have any talents? Do you wish you did?

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Thinking...



Aaah! So much has been going on and I'm so sorry I haven't posted sooner.

First, a HUGE thank you to Kim for nominating me as a thinking blogger. I am so honored and can't say thank you enough! Wow. My turn to nominate now!

The Rules:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

1. Someday is Now.
2. Half of Me
3. From Lynne to Lean
4. Once and For All
5. A Plan I Can Live With


Love you all!

So yeah, Austin was great, the eating went poorly though and I think I finally realized that I have a LOT to work on when it comes to my eating habits around my family. I've mentioned before that I tend to revert to my 12 year-old self whenever I eat with either of my parents, and this weekend in Austin was no exception. There was a lot of queso and ice cream and what not. There were also a lot of good things though.

The boy and I went on a run. Almost all of our activities were out door activities. Tubing, riding on the wave runners, and swimming. So yeah, it was really fun in that respect. As I get older, I find myself really wanting to take more vacations that involve some kind of outdoor activity. I want to climb a 14er. I want to go kayaking. I want to be sporty and outdoorsy because I feel good when I do things like that. And man, tubing is a serious upper body workout.

So I got home Wednesday, but it took me until Friday to get really committed to restarting the whole good eating thing. And then I promptly blew it yesterday at a BBQ. It was my fault for not planning ahead. In my defense, I thought we were only going to be there for a couple of hours and then we were going to go get something to eat. Well it turned out they had lots of good food that the boy just loved, so we ended up eating there. And as far as healthy options, well there was some cantaloupe. Which, don't get me wrong, I love, but cantaloupe does not make a meal.

And of course everything else was pork based, so I ended up having a LOT of chips. And cantaloupe. For dinner. Great.

Back on track today though and my sister and I actually made a fan-fricking-tastic dinner tonight. Turkey burgers with a cucumber dill relish and a huge spinach salad with apples, onions, blue cheese and avocado. Yum and super healthy.

Oh yeah I also went on a run yesterday and it sucked. I sucked. I don't know if I was still detoxing from the Austin trip or what, but I did not have a good run. The half marathon training group starts in two weeks and I am sort of terrified, but also really excited. I can't believe I'm doing this! I think I actually need to make a weight loss goal during the training, because the only way I've been going is up since my wedding. Literally, I've gained more than 20 lbs since my wedding. Ouch. No wonder running is so hard. I feel good right now though. Like maybe I remember how to do this. I think I do.