Oh man am I still struggling with food! It’s mental. I know this. But seriously, how long did it take me to figure out that most of my problems with running were mental? I had to complete a half marathon, without collapsing at the finish line, before I believed that I could do it. So where the heck is the food finish line?!?! It’s not weight loss. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’m still shy the 50 pounds I had collected previously, but sheesh if I can’t find the motivation to get back on the food wagon.
A recent road trip woke me up. First of all, I got 12 hours of “me” time – six over, six back. Lots of thinking was accomplished! I was really proud of myself the first day – I ate well and hydrated even better. I’ve never stopped SO many times on a six hour drive! Dinner that night wasn’t the greatest, but I wasn’t upset with myself.
Day 2 – Horrible! First of all I had a Danish for breakfast. I NEVER have sugar for breakfast! It just leaves me starving an hour later! Then I had my standard mocha with a piece of lemon pound cake from Starbucks. By the time we returned from our short shopping adventure, I was crashing - fast and hard! I had fueled with sugar and caffeine and my body had used it quickly and left me worthless. Ugh! A short rest later, dinner prep began, as did the endless munching on chips and dip. I’m embarrassed at how much I ate. I should have stopped myself, but I didn’t even try. Dumb! Really dumb!
The return trip – I ate and drank identical to the drive over. I stopped to pee just as many times. I was back on track. Until dinner. Well, dinner #1 was great. It was moderately healthy and filled me right up. Yes, I said that was dinner #1. See, later that night someone very special to me called and said “hey, let’s grab a bite to eat.” SOOOO excited to have this moment with a long lost friend, I said sure and headed to Red Robin, where I proceeded to eat deep fried chicken and fries. Dumb! Really dumb!
Come Sunday morning I hopped out of bed and jumped in my clothes to go for my long run. Before I had gotten to my shoes, my gut started aching. I decided to go ahead with some cereal and see if I was going to feel better or worse. Guess what? Worse! Much worse! I curled up in my running clothes and took a nap. After getting some chores accomplished, I was feeling considerably better, so I laced up my shoes and hit the road for 10 miles. In the grand scheme of things, I’m glad the day worked out as it did. My run was full of funnies and I really enjoyed it! Well, until I began to feel fatigue a little sooner than I should have. I attributed it to the days of poor food and the runs I had missed during the week. I knew I deserved this punishment. I took it and pushed harder than I ever thought I could to finish that run.
So there I have it… I get pretty thoughtless about my eating. If I see it, I eat it. This must stop!
I read some blogs today that totally helped inspire me! Here are a few things I picked up…
“… knowing everything you put into your mouth needs to be used as fuel with no exceptions…”
~ www.adventurejunkiemom.blogspot.com
“Calories = fuel, plain and simple”
“… Essentially, eating a healthy, well rounded diet *is* a treat itself. Feeling the best I can by properly fueling my body is worth its weight in gold…”
~ www.runfastermommy.com
“Eat consciously, always. Treat your body with respect and fuel it accordingly.”
~ www.shutupandrun.net
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Ten miles of hilarity and suffering… but mostly hilarity!
I postponed my long run from this morning to this evening. I behaved myself all day – drank lots of water and only my one traditional coffee. My biggest concern heading into the run is that it’s warmer that I like (by about 20 degrees). Don’t get me wrong, the weather is GORGEOUS, I’m just a fair-weather runner (aka wuss)!! Roughly 2/10ths of a mile into my run, I realise that I have grossly mislead myself as to what was going on here! This my long run! My double digit long run! It’s not an easy five or so… it’s five out and then five more back. Well, hell! I’m in it now!
Truckin’ along and I see something right on the street corner… oooooh what is it? A dead squirrel. A dead squirrel that had eaten well before misfortune hit. Ewe. Onward! I get downtown, where the city workers have done such a wonderful job of maintaining the lawns. It’s all plush and green and beautiful and there is a German Sheppard taking a dump. Lovely. I look at his owner – easily 6’3 – bean pole skinny – with meth face. Double lovely. Then he grabs a bag and cleans up after his dog. Wow! That may be the only responsible pet owner slash meth-head on the planet! Onward! I turn the corner on to Mullen… there, on the ground, abandoned… two pennies! PLINK! PLINK! Onward! I see a car that looks familiar, but I can’t quite see the driver and there are many of these cars around, so I decide I will just look in my rearview mirror to see if there is a signature bumper sticker on the back. Yeah. Not so much. I actually let the car pass before I realised I didn’t have a rearview mirror. I laughed. I was actually going to have to physically turn my head to see if I knew the car. Wow! (BTW – no bumper sticker)!
It’s warm, but I’m doing well. I’m rationing my water. Life is good. Around mile 4 I find myself slowing down a bit. I turn around at 5 and just cannot get my brain to stop focusing on how far it is to home. I try reasoning with myself, reminding myself how great the run was on the way out. The sun is starting to set on the Lake Pollen (aka Lake Cd’A) and it’s just phenomenal. I’m thinking about my orange water bottle that I had put in the fridge and how ice cold and wonderful it would be when I get there. Then I’m passed by a friend. I see the car. I know the car. I don’t need no stinkin’ bumper sticker to pick this one out of a line up! Said friend turns around and pulls over ahead of where I’m at and steps out of the car with my orange water bottle in hand. HERO! 6.2 miles down and less than 1/5th of my water left. I needed this friend!
I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask if I could get a ride home. I was told if I could catch the car, I could have a ride. Gee, thanks! After consuming just a little too much of my beloved water (slosh slosh says the tummy), I continued on – only to see someone running alongside a car, trying to get in. I laughed! It wasn’t me, but it was just as funny! I had noticed this car earlier – 60’s model station wagon, paint looked awful, but had Yakima racks on the top. I admired it. If you can’t afford everything, go for the toys! Great plan! Well, the girl was able to get in the moving car and it passed me. Hippies! A car full of hippies! More laughter!
Life was uneventful until 7.44. Then I was beat. I was warm. I ached. I had done this to myself. Dammitjim! See… I had eaten poorly while celebrating the graduations of two of my most favorite kiddos! I had also missed all but one run during the week. I had kinda set myself up for a rough long run. I was super lucky to have made it as far as I did still loving life. I kept going. It sucked. I kept going. Hey... wait... a penny… that I have to bend over to pick up. Decisions. Decisions. Yes, I gave the penny a home. Onward! I see my car… just keep going ‘til you get to the car. $#!%! That’s not my car! Mine’s on the next block! Just get to your car… soooo close… YAAAAAAAY… $#!%! The Garmin reads 9.96. Bye car. It was nice seeing you… Yep, I deserved every stinkin’ moment of this!! Dammitjim ;)
Truckin’ along and I see something right on the street corner… oooooh what is it? A dead squirrel. A dead squirrel that had eaten well before misfortune hit. Ewe. Onward! I get downtown, where the city workers have done such a wonderful job of maintaining the lawns. It’s all plush and green and beautiful and there is a German Sheppard taking a dump. Lovely. I look at his owner – easily 6’3 – bean pole skinny – with meth face. Double lovely. Then he grabs a bag and cleans up after his dog. Wow! That may be the only responsible pet owner slash meth-head on the planet! Onward! I turn the corner on to Mullen… there, on the ground, abandoned… two pennies! PLINK! PLINK! Onward! I see a car that looks familiar, but I can’t quite see the driver and there are many of these cars around, so I decide I will just look in my rearview mirror to see if there is a signature bumper sticker on the back. Yeah. Not so much. I actually let the car pass before I realised I didn’t have a rearview mirror. I laughed. I was actually going to have to physically turn my head to see if I knew the car. Wow! (BTW – no bumper sticker)!
It’s warm, but I’m doing well. I’m rationing my water. Life is good. Around mile 4 I find myself slowing down a bit. I turn around at 5 and just cannot get my brain to stop focusing on how far it is to home. I try reasoning with myself, reminding myself how great the run was on the way out. The sun is starting to set on the Lake Pollen (aka Lake Cd’A) and it’s just phenomenal. I’m thinking about my orange water bottle that I had put in the fridge and how ice cold and wonderful it would be when I get there. Then I’m passed by a friend. I see the car. I know the car. I don’t need no stinkin’ bumper sticker to pick this one out of a line up! Said friend turns around and pulls over ahead of where I’m at and steps out of the car with my orange water bottle in hand. HERO! 6.2 miles down and less than 1/5th of my water left. I needed this friend!
I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask if I could get a ride home. I was told if I could catch the car, I could have a ride. Gee, thanks! After consuming just a little too much of my beloved water (slosh slosh says the tummy), I continued on – only to see someone running alongside a car, trying to get in. I laughed! It wasn’t me, but it was just as funny! I had noticed this car earlier – 60’s model station wagon, paint looked awful, but had Yakima racks on the top. I admired it. If you can’t afford everything, go for the toys! Great plan! Well, the girl was able to get in the moving car and it passed me. Hippies! A car full of hippies! More laughter!
Life was uneventful until 7.44. Then I was beat. I was warm. I ached. I had done this to myself. Dammitjim! See… I had eaten poorly while celebrating the graduations of two of my most favorite kiddos! I had also missed all but one run during the week. I had kinda set myself up for a rough long run. I was super lucky to have made it as far as I did still loving life. I kept going. It sucked. I kept going. Hey... wait... a penny… that I have to bend over to pick up. Decisions. Decisions. Yes, I gave the penny a home. Onward! I see my car… just keep going ‘til you get to the car. $#!%! That’s not my car! Mine’s on the next block! Just get to your car… soooo close… YAAAAAAAY… $#!%! The Garmin reads 9.96. Bye car. It was nice seeing you… Yep, I deserved every stinkin’ moment of this!! Dammitjim ;)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Checking In!
Well, I set myself some goals. I suppose it’s time that I stop and see where I am in achieving them…
Training runs... My runs have been good lately! I missed one last week due to an allergy/sinus/cold combo. Towards the end of the week I had a little incident that emotionally knocked the wind out of me, but I rebounded with a short run late Friday night. Sunday I did my first point-to-point run – from Post Falls to Coeur d’Alene! I really had to push myself to keep running, but I felt like I could walk forever. The point-to-point concept was fun and intimidating at the same time. I joked afterwards about a friend dropping me off and saying “there is only one way back…” Another friend’s daughter asked if said friend would really do such a thing – I guess her jaw dropped when she learned the truth! I did some thinking on this run, but resolved nothing, nor did I resolve to do anything new! I found the hills again on Tuesday. I pushed myself harder and made it to the top of each hill without stopping to walk for even one step. I focused on something at the top of each hill and just kept going until I was at that spot! During my 2nd trip up the 2nd set of hills I nearly puked! Jillian would have been proud! Hell, I was proud!!!
Cross training… It’s been a crazy week with working graveyards for two nights right in the middle. I’ve slept very little and pushed my body to new levels of exhaustion. I did get an opportunity to take the kayak out and watch some Ironman trainee’s swim in 50 degree waters. Pretty sure watching other people swim doesn’t count as exercise, although I wish it did because I could spend all day every day on the lake! I am itching to go for a bike ride… just one problem… I don’t have a bike. I really must get that resolved this weekend!
Food & Beer & Losing weight… I’m still doing wonderful on the no fast food challenge! Beer on the other hand… well, I’ve cut WAY back, but I just haven’t been able to go cold turkey! It seems the combination of changes I’ve made is working – I got my 2 lb weight loss last week… and if I behave myself, my midweek sneak peak at the scale looks promising for this week too!
Overall... I’m headed in the right direction! My biggest achievement so far is getting past many of the mental hurdles that I inadvertently placed in front of me. For now I keep going – one foot in front of the other – knowing that these goals are stepping stones. There are bigger and better things ahead!
Training runs... My runs have been good lately! I missed one last week due to an allergy/sinus/cold combo. Towards the end of the week I had a little incident that emotionally knocked the wind out of me, but I rebounded with a short run late Friday night. Sunday I did my first point-to-point run – from Post Falls to Coeur d’Alene! I really had to push myself to keep running, but I felt like I could walk forever. The point-to-point concept was fun and intimidating at the same time. I joked afterwards about a friend dropping me off and saying “there is only one way back…” Another friend’s daughter asked if said friend would really do such a thing – I guess her jaw dropped when she learned the truth! I did some thinking on this run, but resolved nothing, nor did I resolve to do anything new! I found the hills again on Tuesday. I pushed myself harder and made it to the top of each hill without stopping to walk for even one step. I focused on something at the top of each hill and just kept going until I was at that spot! During my 2nd trip up the 2nd set of hills I nearly puked! Jillian would have been proud! Hell, I was proud!!!
Cross training… It’s been a crazy week with working graveyards for two nights right in the middle. I’ve slept very little and pushed my body to new levels of exhaustion. I did get an opportunity to take the kayak out and watch some Ironman trainee’s swim in 50 degree waters. Pretty sure watching other people swim doesn’t count as exercise, although I wish it did because I could spend all day every day on the lake! I am itching to go for a bike ride… just one problem… I don’t have a bike. I really must get that resolved this weekend!
Food & Beer & Losing weight… I’m still doing wonderful on the no fast food challenge! Beer on the other hand… well, I’ve cut WAY back, but I just haven’t been able to go cold turkey! It seems the combination of changes I’ve made is working – I got my 2 lb weight loss last week… and if I behave myself, my midweek sneak peak at the scale looks promising for this week too!
Overall... I’m headed in the right direction! My biggest achievement so far is getting past many of the mental hurdles that I inadvertently placed in front of me. For now I keep going – one foot in front of the other – knowing that these goals are stepping stones. There are bigger and better things ahead!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Life & Pavement
The good news is that the pavement doesn't care what you've done wrong...
it unfolds itself in front of you and hangs out until you feel better!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Disturbingly Fun!
Remember a couple of days ago I was mumbling (okay, whining) about a sore throat et al.? Well, fast forward to this morning and what can only be described as a sinus infection in the making! Dammitjim! I’m not willing to claim defeat yet… I had LOTS of sinus issues last year, but there were a few times where I suspected one on the attack but it never transpired. I’m quite certain that will be the case with this one! Just certain!
So, while I’m at work, trying to ignore the burning pain, the sinus pressure, and the mid-afternoon exhaustion, I’m really, REALLY wishing I hadn’t said “hey, let’s go run hills tonight… no I promise I won’t cancel for anything…” What was I thinking? Ugh!
I met up with my friend for a slow warm up jog and I’m huffing and puffing almost immediately… oh my, this isn’t gonna be good! We get to the base of the first hill and it doesn’t look so bad. Our first lap up the hill is as slow as you can go. Now I’ve been warned that the slowest lap is the hardest, but I’m a slow person so I really didn’t buy into the hype. Well… about 3/4ths up the hill my legs were BURNING. I made mention of this to my friend and she says “YEP”… gee, thanks for that! We made our way down the hill and did it again, this time at a nice comfortable pace (if such a thing exists when one is running UP a hill). For the third lap we take the hill just a bit faster. As I’m running up and down this hill in front of people’s houses (some of which were out in their yards and undeniably aware of our presence) I wonder how crazy they think I am? Then I laugh to myself that they probably think my friend is even crazier, because she comes back every week and does the same routine. Wait… now she has a following of crazy people running in circles in front of strangers houses. Yep, I decided they’d find her to be the crazier of the two of us. Yes, I’m proud that I can form actual thoughts while huffing and puffing up and down this damn hill. My friend on the other hand – chatting up a storm as if this is nothing! Don’t dare ask me to answer any questions right now… I would have to give up breathing to talk… and quite frankly CPR is not on my agenda today!
Then there is hill #2. It’s a slightly longer hill but not so steep. Same routine… 3 laps, slow, medium, medium-fast. Huff and puff and puff and huff! This. Is. Not. Easy. There was a time or two that I slowed to a walk but only for 2 or 3 steps and then I pushed thru. Dang! Not easy! BTW - Dang was NOT the word that fell from my lips, but we’ll go with it for now ;) Bring on hill #3… at first glance I was ready to run the opposite direction. This one was steeper than the first. Ugh! Up I go, feeling the burn… Up I go, wanting to quit 3/4ths of the way in… Up I go, cursing, slowing, but being encouraged and coached to keep moving. DONE! Three laps on three hills. Yay! Wait. Remember the warm up jog… yep, still some pavement to pound to get back to my car. Dang! Final verdict on my first set of hills… it wasn’t easy, but it didn’t suck, in fact it was kinda fun! Many, many thanks to my friend for keeping me company, cheering me on, and being there for yet another milestone!
Checking in… Fast food – doing great! Actually sounds awful, with the exception of just one place. So far so good! Eh hem, I do have to admit that I’ve not done quite as good as I had hoped on choosing healthier foods at home. A work in progress though! I did stop to check out a website suggested by a friend - www.ourbestbites.com – there are some YUMMY recipes there I can’t wait to try! …2 lb a week challenge – see previous note about not-so-healthy foods :( Still maintaining, no gain or loss… Making all my training runs – well, I missed two last week, but had a 5k walk on Saturday, soooo at least I got something in. Just lost track of time more than anything else. Will keep working on this one too!
The TSC Alliance has a slogan this year that I just love! It absolutely fits their mission, but I think it could be applied in so many ways in life… “We will give everything. But up.” This should be how everyone approaches their own life! I love it! I will use it to motivate me… tomorrow! Good night moon :)
So, while I’m at work, trying to ignore the burning pain, the sinus pressure, and the mid-afternoon exhaustion, I’m really, REALLY wishing I hadn’t said “hey, let’s go run hills tonight… no I promise I won’t cancel for anything…” What was I thinking? Ugh!
I met up with my friend for a slow warm up jog and I’m huffing and puffing almost immediately… oh my, this isn’t gonna be good! We get to the base of the first hill and it doesn’t look so bad. Our first lap up the hill is as slow as you can go. Now I’ve been warned that the slowest lap is the hardest, but I’m a slow person so I really didn’t buy into the hype. Well… about 3/4ths up the hill my legs were BURNING. I made mention of this to my friend and she says “YEP”… gee, thanks for that! We made our way down the hill and did it again, this time at a nice comfortable pace (if such a thing exists when one is running UP a hill). For the third lap we take the hill just a bit faster. As I’m running up and down this hill in front of people’s houses (some of which were out in their yards and undeniably aware of our presence) I wonder how crazy they think I am? Then I laugh to myself that they probably think my friend is even crazier, because she comes back every week and does the same routine. Wait… now she has a following of crazy people running in circles in front of strangers houses. Yep, I decided they’d find her to be the crazier of the two of us. Yes, I’m proud that I can form actual thoughts while huffing and puffing up and down this damn hill. My friend on the other hand – chatting up a storm as if this is nothing! Don’t dare ask me to answer any questions right now… I would have to give up breathing to talk… and quite frankly CPR is not on my agenda today!
Then there is hill #2. It’s a slightly longer hill but not so steep. Same routine… 3 laps, slow, medium, medium-fast. Huff and puff and puff and huff! This. Is. Not. Easy. There was a time or two that I slowed to a walk but only for 2 or 3 steps and then I pushed thru. Dang! Not easy! BTW - Dang was NOT the word that fell from my lips, but we’ll go with it for now ;) Bring on hill #3… at first glance I was ready to run the opposite direction. This one was steeper than the first. Ugh! Up I go, feeling the burn… Up I go, wanting to quit 3/4ths of the way in… Up I go, cursing, slowing, but being encouraged and coached to keep moving. DONE! Three laps on three hills. Yay! Wait. Remember the warm up jog… yep, still some pavement to pound to get back to my car. Dang! Final verdict on my first set of hills… it wasn’t easy, but it didn’t suck, in fact it was kinda fun! Many, many thanks to my friend for keeping me company, cheering me on, and being there for yet another milestone!
Checking in… Fast food – doing great! Actually sounds awful, with the exception of just one place. So far so good! Eh hem, I do have to admit that I’ve not done quite as good as I had hoped on choosing healthier foods at home. A work in progress though! I did stop to check out a website suggested by a friend - www.ourbestbites.com – there are some YUMMY recipes there I can’t wait to try! …2 lb a week challenge – see previous note about not-so-healthy foods :( Still maintaining, no gain or loss… Making all my training runs – well, I missed two last week, but had a 5k walk on Saturday, soooo at least I got something in. Just lost track of time more than anything else. Will keep working on this one too!
The TSC Alliance has a slogan this year that I just love! It absolutely fits their mission, but I think it could be applied in so many ways in life… “We will give everything. But up.” This should be how everyone approaches their own life! I love it! I will use it to motivate me… tomorrow! Good night moon :)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
...but I don't wanna!!!!!!
“I don’t wanna go run seven miles!!” I'm all stuffy, my throat hurts, my ears hurt and my body is aching from two days doing little but sitting in a car, eating, and sleeping. I just wanna stay in bed!
I eventually got my whiny butt out of bed and had some breakfast, complete with zyrtec and ibuprofen! I did everything I could to put off getting ready to run, but it was nearly 10 and I was supposed to meet the girls at noon, so I needed to get a move on. Easier said than done! I couldn’t find my favorite pants :( If I was gonna go “trudge” thru seven miles, I was at least going to be wearing my favorite pants! I did my hair, gathered my things, all without pants. Dammitjim, I wanted my pants! Getting grumpier by the minute, I finally found them in the dryer. Apparently I knew days ago that I was going to want my pants this morning. Properly dressed, I looked in the mirror and realised my shirt made me look too fat, so I grabbed a baggy ole t-shirt and called it good enough. I don’t care if it starts pouring down rain, I was gonna hide my fat and wear my favorite pants. It’s the least a grumpy girl can do!
Effectively running late for my run, I texted a friend that I was going to park at her house and run from there, but that I was grumpy so I would talk to her after I had run off my bad mood. She responded that she was in the same boat. I felt a little better knowing I wasn’t alone! I took off and my first few steps felt great! Mind, body, and soul needed this! I hadn’t really planned my long run (which I ALWAYS do), and I didn’t really want to run, so I decided today I would play! I turned down random streets and saw different views and just had fun with it. My brain kicked into high gear and I thought about everything! As I passed a school I noticed the kids’ projects hanging in all of the windows. Remember when doing our daily tasks earned us a spot on the window/wall/refrigerator?
My motivation and energy was still a bit low, so walking was frequent, but life was good. Just about mile two I came across a woman I had met through friends of friends who are all runners. She walked with me for a few and chatted about how she was having a rough go of it today and she was scheduled to do 13 miles. Dang! As she took off to run again I said “have fun” to which she replied “NOT”! Double Dang! I watched her do a run/walk routine that was quite similar to my own and once again felt comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone. Misery loves company, right?
I stopped back at my car for some water and grabbed my favorite little four-legged running buddy and headed back out for 2.5 more miles. I was pretty tired and ready to be done, but the little one was having a blast. She’d run and run and run and then… DOG… run, run, run… BIRD… run, DOG, run DOG, run… she does great in businessy areas or on trails, but dogs in their yards are just too much for her. She becomes the poster child for puppy adhd! She definitely kept me entertained! I’m not sure which one of us was smiling more at the end of our little run!!
Generally the girls and I meet up after our long run to celebrate… as it turns out today we all woke up saying “I don’t wanna run seven miles!” Once again, glad to know I wasn’t alone! However, I’m quite grateful I got my hiney out there and got it done! Now, I want chocolate and a nap… since I don’t keep chocolate in my house, I guess I will have to settle for a well deserved nap :)
I eventually got my whiny butt out of bed and had some breakfast, complete with zyrtec and ibuprofen! I did everything I could to put off getting ready to run, but it was nearly 10 and I was supposed to meet the girls at noon, so I needed to get a move on. Easier said than done! I couldn’t find my favorite pants :( If I was gonna go “trudge” thru seven miles, I was at least going to be wearing my favorite pants! I did my hair, gathered my things, all without pants. Dammitjim, I wanted my pants! Getting grumpier by the minute, I finally found them in the dryer. Apparently I knew days ago that I was going to want my pants this morning. Properly dressed, I looked in the mirror and realised my shirt made me look too fat, so I grabbed a baggy ole t-shirt and called it good enough. I don’t care if it starts pouring down rain, I was gonna hide my fat and wear my favorite pants. It’s the least a grumpy girl can do!
Effectively running late for my run, I texted a friend that I was going to park at her house and run from there, but that I was grumpy so I would talk to her after I had run off my bad mood. She responded that she was in the same boat. I felt a little better knowing I wasn’t alone! I took off and my first few steps felt great! Mind, body, and soul needed this! I hadn’t really planned my long run (which I ALWAYS do), and I didn’t really want to run, so I decided today I would play! I turned down random streets and saw different views and just had fun with it. My brain kicked into high gear and I thought about everything! As I passed a school I noticed the kids’ projects hanging in all of the windows. Remember when doing our daily tasks earned us a spot on the window/wall/refrigerator?
My motivation and energy was still a bit low, so walking was frequent, but life was good. Just about mile two I came across a woman I had met through friends of friends who are all runners. She walked with me for a few and chatted about how she was having a rough go of it today and she was scheduled to do 13 miles. Dang! As she took off to run again I said “have fun” to which she replied “NOT”! Double Dang! I watched her do a run/walk routine that was quite similar to my own and once again felt comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone. Misery loves company, right?
I stopped back at my car for some water and grabbed my favorite little four-legged running buddy and headed back out for 2.5 more miles. I was pretty tired and ready to be done, but the little one was having a blast. She’d run and run and run and then… DOG… run, run, run… BIRD… run, DOG, run DOG, run… she does great in businessy areas or on trails, but dogs in their yards are just too much for her. She becomes the poster child for puppy adhd! She definitely kept me entertained! I’m not sure which one of us was smiling more at the end of our little run!!
Generally the girls and I meet up after our long run to celebrate… as it turns out today we all woke up saying “I don’t wanna run seven miles!” Once again, glad to know I wasn’t alone! However, I’m quite grateful I got my hiney out there and got it done! Now, I want chocolate and a nap… since I don’t keep chocolate in my house, I guess I will have to settle for a well deserved nap :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Necessary Evil...
I hate food! I mean, I loooooovvvvveee food, but heck I struggle with food more than anything else!
I was raised on hamburger. It was cheap when times were tough and Dad liked it, so we ate a lot of it. As soon as I had my own job and some wheels, I was eating anything BUT hamburger! I started an affair with fast food, which I'm certain was laced with crack so I would keep going back for more! It's no surprise that, even though I have eaten my share of crap, I was disgusted when I read the headline "Man eats 25,000th Big Mac, 39 years after his 1st." I couldn't even bring myself to read the article at first, but as I considered writing this blog I decided I needed to know this man's story. He bought himself a car 39 years ago and celebrated with 3 Big Mac's. He loved them so much that he went back and got six more that day. For 39 years he has averaged 2 Big Mac's a day, commenting that he had only gone 8 days without one in all that time. It says something about our culture that such an article would be front page worthy. How sad.
So why do I eat crap? Well, it's easy! It's not cheap, it's not as good as homemade food, but it's ready in just a couple of minutes and I can eat it in my car as I'm rushing to wherever. Great selling points, eh? I do know how to cook, without making anyone sick even! The problem is I get bored with the same ole foods very quickly and I'm not creative in the least, so I struggle to come up with a new food or recipe. My friends have been a great help with this, I now know dozens of ways to prepare chicken! Hands down, chicken is my favorite food. Make it spicy and I'm in heaven!
About two weeks ago I was challenged by a friend to avoid all fast food until my next half marathon. I love me a good challenge! The first week was difficult, but once I actually went to the grocery store things got much easier! For the most part I'm eating proper portion sizes of healthier foods, prepared in my own home without any crack additives. I still have some vices, but I'm getting better. The problem is I am hungry. All the time! I have increased my water consumption, so that helps, but I still need to find more filling foods. I've run twice this week and done a Jillian work out once and during all three activities I was plagued by hunger pangs. As if trying to keep from tripping over my own feet isn't enough, now I'm trying ignore my tummy at the same time :( Anyone else notice that the tummy is right between the brain and the feet? Can messages safely travel that route with the big bad angry tummy in the way?
Once again, I have to laugh. While typing away on this blog; a friend came in and started talking about a local fast food restaurant. He went searching for information about it on the internet, trying to determine if it was a chain or not and proceeded to tell us all about what he and his wife had for lunch (in detail). Thank goodness they had hamburgers - I lost my appetite ;)
I was raised on hamburger. It was cheap when times were tough and Dad liked it, so we ate a lot of it. As soon as I had my own job and some wheels, I was eating anything BUT hamburger! I started an affair with fast food, which I'm certain was laced with crack so I would keep going back for more! It's no surprise that, even though I have eaten my share of crap, I was disgusted when I read the headline "Man eats 25,000th Big Mac, 39 years after his 1st." I couldn't even bring myself to read the article at first, but as I considered writing this blog I decided I needed to know this man's story. He bought himself a car 39 years ago and celebrated with 3 Big Mac's. He loved them so much that he went back and got six more that day. For 39 years he has averaged 2 Big Mac's a day, commenting that he had only gone 8 days without one in all that time. It says something about our culture that such an article would be front page worthy. How sad.
So why do I eat crap? Well, it's easy! It's not cheap, it's not as good as homemade food, but it's ready in just a couple of minutes and I can eat it in my car as I'm rushing to wherever. Great selling points, eh? I do know how to cook, without making anyone sick even! The problem is I get bored with the same ole foods very quickly and I'm not creative in the least, so I struggle to come up with a new food or recipe. My friends have been a great help with this, I now know dozens of ways to prepare chicken! Hands down, chicken is my favorite food. Make it spicy and I'm in heaven!
About two weeks ago I was challenged by a friend to avoid all fast food until my next half marathon. I love me a good challenge! The first week was difficult, but once I actually went to the grocery store things got much easier! For the most part I'm eating proper portion sizes of healthier foods, prepared in my own home without any crack additives. I still have some vices, but I'm getting better. The problem is I am hungry. All the time! I have increased my water consumption, so that helps, but I still need to find more filling foods. I've run twice this week and done a Jillian work out once and during all three activities I was plagued by hunger pangs. As if trying to keep from tripping over my own feet isn't enough, now I'm trying ignore my tummy at the same time :( Anyone else notice that the tummy is right between the brain and the feet? Can messages safely travel that route with the big bad angry tummy in the way?
Once again, I have to laugh. While typing away on this blog; a friend came in and started talking about a local fast food restaurant. He went searching for information about it on the internet, trying to determine if it was a chain or not and proceeded to tell us all about what he and his wife had for lunch (in detail). Thank goodness they had hamburgers - I lost my appetite ;)
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