Close Call

My WW adventure began 3 weeks ago (tomorrow) and so far I have lost 4.5 pounds.  Good news, right?  Well it's been much harder than I thought.  I guess I haven't stuck to a diet--oops--"life-style change" for a long time.  I have tried really hard and have tracked everything I've possibly eaten.  This last week has been quite difficult as we're getting over colds and it has been hard to get to the gym when I feel like a cement truck has dumped it's entire contents in my sinuses.  I have still managed to put in some miles and it's cool to see my goal slowly being reached.

Wednesday was a make or break day for me.  I started out eating a croissant and hot chocolate for breakfast--something I used to do ALL the time--we're talking every morning.  The bad thing is that once I made that decision (after also deciding not to wake up early to go to the gym since I felt like crap) the rest of the day was a domino effect of bad choices.  For lunch we went to Smashburger, which just opened up here.  My brother and other family members have been raving about this place and since Jon and I both love a good burger, we decided to put it to the test.  Well, it was simply amazing.  The burger was the best I've ever had.  It far surpassed Red Robin or any other restaurant as far as flavor is concerned.  A new favorite.  On the downside, I completely depleted my points for the day and most of my weekly extra points as well.  Can we say "downward spiral"?  So, naturally, I'm feeling "munchy" come dinner time and had already resolved not to eat anything since I'd overdone it with lunch.  If I got hungry, I'd eat vegetables.  Instead I had a handful of chocolate chips and Pirate's Booty.  There was nothing I wouldn't eat at this point.

At some point, I found myself standing in the pantry, looking at all of the snack foods I could possibly move on to next and I realized that I wasn't really getting the satisfaction out of this binge that I would have before I started WW.  This is a good thing!  Maybe I'm learning that eating for boredom and emotional gratification doesn't work.  This is when I ran upstairs, put on my gym clothes and headed to the gym.  I ran 5.5 miles and rode the bike for 20 minutes.  I felt great afterwords.  It was late at night and I was tired but I felt good.  I had somewhat redeemed myself from a day of bad choices.

I'm sure I'll pay for the bad choices come Monday's weigh-in.  But for now I'm going to chalk it up to a lesson learned.  I figure if these pitfalls happen every couple of weeks but I'm able to pick myself back up again, I'm in pretty good shape.  I need to learn to be a little more flexible.  This is real life, after all.

Under The Weather

I've been trying to pretend/avoid the fact that I've been getting sick for a few days now.  I woke up last Friday with a deep ache in my chest.  I still ran 7 miles on Saturday and felt good all day but it turns out my nose was also running.  It hit a bit harder yesterday and this morning, my husband and I both felt crappy. 

Dear Virus,
Please leave me and my family the heck alone.  You have given me an obnoxious headache and runny nose and have left me no choice but to get out the Afrin at night.  All I want to do is wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to run.  You're ruing it.  You have no idea who you're messing with.  With a little help from my friend, Zicam, you'll be obliterated in no time at all.  Consider this fair warning.

Treadmill vs Road

I haven't been outside much this year doing my runs.  The majority of my miles have been on the treadmill.  Something I think about during the mind-numbing hours on the treadmill is if all of the treadmill work will translate over to the road.  I don't run with an incline, so that right there makes the treadmill a little easier--physically.  Mentally, it's a whole other ball game. 

Where do you look when you run on the treadmill?  The distance run, the time, the people walking by, the wall, the TV they've installed 10 inches from your face?  I usually stare at a distant wall and try to get sucked into the rhythm of my music.  That's when time starts to fly by.  The worst way to spend your time is staring at the distance run or the clock if you're going for a certain time.  Time immediately slows.  It's torture. 

Today I ran 7 miles on the treadmill and put my extra shirt over the display in front of me so that the only thing I could see if I looked down was the speed at which I was running.  Time went by much faster and my mind didn't tell me I was tired.

Two In One Day

I woke up at 6:15 this morning and headed to the gym again.  I took my new shoes for their first run.  Six miles.  I didn't realize how much I needed new shoes until I ran in my new ones today.  Boy, did it feel nice!  Ample cushion.  I wonder what people think when they see someone walk in with the whitest shoes they've ever seen--"Those are obviously new, are they new to running, too?  How long before I don't see them at the gym anymore (before they give up)."

My day started out perfectly with my run and my weigh-in.  I have now lost 2.5 pounds.  Just 15 more to go.

Dinner was bad.  We went to Chili's.  In an effort to cheer up Jonathan (dreading returning to school), we ate three courses.  The good news is that I had the points to do it.  I didn't undo my whole week and as long as I keep up my good habits the rest of the week, I should still come out with a loss.

Jon is going to start training for a triathlon.  I supported his decision by going for a jog with him tonight.  I'm proud of him and I'll do that as many times as I can to help him reach his goal.  We ran 2.5 miles.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Yesterday was my 27th birthday.  It feels weird to say it.  Birthdays always get us thinking about our lives.  I can honestly say that I'm pleased with what I have accomplished up to this point in my life and I'm happy and content with where I am in my life right now.  I have been making healthier choices lately with my meals and workouts and for the first time in a very long time, I think I'll actually stick this one out.  I can't count on my little family's 8 hands combined, the number of times I've said, "OK, Monday I'm starting fresh", or "Monday is a new day", or "I'm going to work out everyday next week".

I had a wonderful day yesterday.  Life went on as it normally does on a Friday except that Jon decided to take more time away from school to be with me and help with the kids.  Then we left our kids with his parents and our night together began.  First, he surprised me with my birthday present--a trip to Runner's Corner for a new pair of shoes!  I was hoping he'd do this.  As far as I'm concerned, running shoes are one of the best presents.  With a fresh pair of shoes, the motivation immediately increases and the mind dreams of what can be accomplished.

I didn't get to take my new shoes out today.  Monday.  Monday they'll go for their first run.

I went with the Asics Gel Nimbus 11.

The Price You Pay

It has been three months since I lost two toenails after the St. George marathon.  I'm not sure what to attribute the loss to.  Most say it's from wearing too tight a shoe or even too loose or just from running a lot!  Whichever it is, I've lost many before and don't foresee the trend ending any time soon. 

I'd like to think of my deformed toenails as badges of accomplishment--hard-earned trophies.  Each one represents a battle waged against numberless forces:  hills, heat, pounding, injury, sweat, sore muscles, and all of the other elements of running.

Please forgive the ill-attempt to cover the toes with sparkle polish.

I ran 4 miles today.

Gear Review: Sports Bra (Guys, you can skip this)

A friend recently asked me for my advice on a good sports bra for nursing moms.  Well, I know all about this.  For my first baby, I ran with 2 sports bras.  That's right, I just doubled up for double the support!  It kind of worked but more so felt as if my ribs and lungs were getting unnecessary support--I couldn't breathe!  Add on a heart rate strap and you've basically tied a tourniquet around your ribcage. 

I put up with it while nursing my first baby but when my second came along, I couldn't do it anymore.  I'd finish a run/race and would have an open wound under the strap because of the constant chaff-age.  We all know how painful it is to shower after you've been chaffed from running (no matter what the body part).

So I began my search.  I knew that Title Nine had some great bras but I was hesitant to spend that much money on a sports bra.  I looked in every store I happened across and found no success.  Don't get me wrong--some stores have great selections but they're mostly for women with a smaller bust.  Title Nine has a great measuring system called the "Barbell System".  The bras are all measured according to support needs; the least support being one barbell and the most being five.  This is a great place to buy bras if you're willing to spend some money on them.

I continued to research and found a comparable bra with maximum support and purchased it at a site called NY Lingerie.  I now use the Champion Powerback Wire-Free bra. 

     Pros:  Excellent support.  Great design.  Comfortable.  Doesn't smash.
     Cons:  Difficult to fasten once it's on.  Needs thicker fabric to ensure maximum modesty (if you don't know what this means, ask me).

Today I ran 4.5 miles.

I Think I've Found It

My regimen, that is.  I have been very committed to my eating plan but have also been having a hard time finding the perfect time to hit the pavement (or treadmill).  It's too cold for the kids and too snowy for the jogger and the air is too dirty right now to run outside.  We have a horrible inversion and it just hurts my lungs to even look at it.  That leaves 2 times to go running:  at night when my husband is home from school and the kids are in bed (cons: running after eating dinner, I'm tired and want to veg.), or early morning before Jon leaves for school (cons: duh, it's early). 

Last night I set my phone to wake me up at 6:15am.  I knew it would be hard to get up and I knew I wasn't going to bed early enough but I did it anyway.  I woke up at 6:00am and looked at the clock hoping it would say 2:30am so I could roll over and go back to sleep but instead I knew I'd have to get up in 15 minutes.  I laid their and tried to semi-wake myself so it would be less painful when the alarm did go off.  When it did, I didn't hesitate.  I pulled myself out of bed and got ready for the gym.  My car was cold and unpleasant but I made it to the gym and managed to find an empty treadmill among all of the "resolutioners".  "It's OK," I told myself, "they'll all be gone in a week or two."

After six miles, I felt good and couldn't have been happier about the way my day had started.  Right now it's 10:15am and I've already gotten the kids dressed, fed, one down to nap, laundry folded and more in the washer/dryer.  Now I'm looking for a good dinner recipe for tonight.

Lesson Learned

I did really well today with my eating and points keeping with Weight Watchers.  I did so well, in fact, that we got to eat Cafe Rio for dinner.  It was wonderful except that my stomach told me it wasn't the best thing to eat after eating so lightly today.  One word--heartburn.  But that soon passed and after putting the kids in bed about an hour later I headed to the gym to try to squeeze in a couple of miles.

Lesson:  Eating a heavy meal and running aren't a very good combination.  I already knew this but I couldn't go to bed tonight without a heavy conscious if I didn't make it a priority to run.  Saturdays are the one day I can get out and go running without taking the kids along (unless I wake up at 6am every morning...right).  So after about three miles of (excuse me, please) burping up my creamy tomatillo salad dressing, the burning lungs passed and I hit my second wind.

I was able to get in five miles--three hard, two good.  Next time I think I'll run in the morning.

I signed up

I just ate dinner, I'm still hungry.  I'm thinking this is going to be pretty difficult.  I signed up for Weight Watchers Online today.  I did it this morning (after a night of imagining what it would be like to be 15 pounds thinner).  I was completely motivated last night, of course, but this morning it was difficult to hit the "Register" button.  I made it through the day...well, I suppose I'm still awake so I'm still fighting off temptation to go fill a bowl with ice cream and douse it with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup--or make our amazing chocolate chip cookies and eat at least three with a giant glass of milk.

If I had to pinpoint the one thing that has most-likely undone all of the miles I've run in the past year it would be those dang chocolate chip cookies.  My husband and I are disastrous with each others attempts at healthy eating.  This is how it typically plays out:  My husband will jokingly mention, "Cookies sure sound good tonight."  This is followed by a long pause, at least 15 seconds, where we analyze each others expressions to see if one of us will finally be strong enough to say no.  Nope, we aren't.  Then we go ahead and fix our cookies--heavenly--and sit down to a movie or mindless channel surfing while we each down at least three cookies.

Today I ran just under five miles with the kids in tow.  I felt good and strong.  I listened to my shuffle and wore my shades and the run was over before I knew it. 

I'm going to stick to this Weight Watchers thing.  I'd really like to see some results.  Just so you know, I'm not overweight.  In fact, I'm right in the middle of my health weight range.  But for once, I'd like to be in the lower end of that range.  We'll see what happens.

Gear Review: SHOES

I'm currently running in these:   Asics Gel Nimbus

Asics have always provided maximum comfort.  A few of my favorite features include the wide toe area, major cushion, and excellent support.  This shoe is for neutral runners.  I have also run in various Duomax styles (for overpronating) which I have also been happy with.  It's design is stylish but not too flashy and coordinates (if you care) with all running clothes.  Overall, a good shoe for long and short distances.

It's time for me to say goodbye to this pair.  Does anyone have a certain shoe they LOVE?  Please comment.

Dear Drivers,

Yesterday I took my kids on a run in the jogger.  The jogger is bright yellow--very hard to miss.  I ran on the sidewalk, followed all laws, and was very careful.  One of you didn't follow the laws!  I'm pretty sure you were old, and in a hurry.  Not a good combination.  And you probably don't have a very good memory and probably haven't read the driving laws in a good 35 years, maybe more.  So let me just help you by reminding you of one small law:  Pedestrians. Have. The. Right. Of. Way.  Especially when you're making a left turn from a busy road onto a small side road with no traffic lights or stop signs.

I was already half way across the street--I looked both ways, of course, and made eye contact with the one car the DID stop.  You decided to hurry and take your chance crossing oncoming traffic, probably fearing you wouldn't get another chance for another 2 minutes.  It's a good thing I have fast reflexes and fear for my childrens' lives, otherwise you would have taken my legs right out from under me and my children would be mush on the road. 

So next time, watch where you're going.  Look for pedestrians.  And tell your wife not to wave her angry fist back at me after I raise mine because she was in the wrong.  And so were you.

Sincerely,
Sarah the Pedestrian

Ran 4 miles yesterday.

Let's Begin

I'm starting this blog to record my running adventures.  During the holidays I didn't do much running, just a couple of short runs to reverse the near-vegetative state my legs were in.  My husband bought me a subscription to Runner's World magazine for Christmas.  While reading the article which rated the top marathons around the world, I reflected on my own races from 2009.  I put in more mileage than ever last year, running three half-marathons, one marathon (St. George), and a local turkey trot.  Most importantly, beside the usual aches and pains that come from training long distances, I never got injured and was able to stay in shape the entire year.  I knew I needed some goals for 2010 so I began brainstorming.  My brother had mentioned that he might set a goal to run a certain distance by the end of 2010.  I liked this idea, so I stole it. 

I have decided to run 1000 miles this year.  I may or may not run races, and that doesn't matter, as long as I reach this distance. 

Let me give you a little of my running background.  I started running in fourth grade.  My parents are runners and decided to have the whole family run the Bolder Boulder that year.  I got my first pair of running shoes and wore them every day to elementary school to brake them in.  This was NOT a popular thing to do but I didn't care.  I felt empowered already, knowing I'd soon be running my first real race. 

We ran the Boulder Bolder for a few years as a family.  We volunteered before the race by putting together the finishers' post-race lunches.  We got into the race free this way.

I played soccer for 10 years, finally quitting during my junior year of high school and chose to run on the high school track team instead.  I ran the 100 and 300 hurdles.  I loved it!

Before I left for college, I started running some longer distances.  I knew I wanted to complete a marathon at some point, following after my parents footsteps.  My goal was to run my first marathon by the time I turned 20.  I trained hard, probably too hard.  I got injured and ended up with a cortizone shot in my knee and a doctor telling me "Some people just can't run marathons.  Some people's bodies just can't handle it."  This infuriated me and as soon as my three months of prescribed rest was over, I started running again.

I ran in small races to keep things interesting.  Mostly 5 and 10k local races.  It wasn't until 2005, in my first year of marital bliss, that I finally ran my first marathon.  That put me slightly over my 20 year-old goal.  I was 22.  My first marathon was the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan, Utah.  I ran a 4:09.

Training for my next marathon was a way to lose my baby weight from my first baby.  I trained as hard as I could while pushing a jogger and was able to run the St. George Marathon when my son was 6 months old.  I ran a 3:58.

I decided that running was a perfect way to get back into shape after having a baby and since I'd had so much success after my firstborn, I did it again after I had my daughter in 2008.  When my 6 week recovery was up I put my shoes back on and hit the road.  I ran 2 half-marathons when she was 4 months old and a 3rd when she was 9 months old.  I finished my 3rd marathon last October (2009) at St. George and PR'd again with a 3:42.

So that's where we stand.  I'm ready to get back into it after the holidays and I'm ready to start chipping away at this 1000 miles.