Week Three

Ugh.  This week has been a tough one.  I am just so tired.  Not sure what's going on with that.  I was hoping for energy boosts.  I started my personal torture, I mean training, sessions this week.  I am no longer in denial about my lack of fitness.  It's a fact I will no longer dispute: I am grossly out of shape.  But, that's why I'm here, right?  (Yes, that is a desperate cry for reassurance.  Please insert motivating wisdom in the comment session).

Jason the Trainer is a running coach for the speed school at the gym so I feel like he is the right man for the job.  During my workout with him on Thursday he expressed concerns about me trying to do this thing.  He feels I should put it off until I lose some weight and stick to lower impact cardio and continuing our personal training sessions until I can drop at least 50 pounds.  He is worried about my knees, afraid I am going to trash my joints.  I know it's not going to be great on my joints until I lose some weight, but this thing is a little over 12 weeks away.  Can I really do that much damage in three months?  So far I am not having any pain or swelling so I am leaning towards ignoring this advice. What do you guys think?  That was kinda of a punch in the gut.  A big part of why  I want to work towards this goal is to lose weight, but also accomplish something I have largely considered an impossibility.  I think he might be overestimating what I consider a "run".  I am not under the illusion that I will have Kenyan like speed.  I am just trying to finish the course in less than 3 hours and 40 minutes.  If I can hold a pace of 4.5 mph I will finish in the allotted time.  Stop laughing.  I mean it.   No more laughing.

Another weird thing this week is my running dream.  I keep having this dream about me running the race.  Let me tell you, dream runner Hilaree is in great shape!  It's so funny because it looks like me, only really fit and a little bit taller.  I think the word svelte is the best way to describe dream runner me.  Not only do I look awesome, but I am running (like a real run) in a remarkably smooth fashion.  I wonder if this is a psychic dream?  

I consider myself to be a "chunky runner".  I am finding that this leads to many of it's own problems.  Mainly, finding apparel that stays in place while you move and keeps jiggling to a minimum.  I know I don't look hot in spandex right now, but I can assure you looking at my bare belly is even less hot.  Also, jogging on a treadmill and constantly pulling at your top or pants is not great for coordination.  Any suggestions on good brands would be great.  So far Athleta seems to have the best tops/sports bras I have found.  Pants are still a problem.

Lessons learned this week:

1.  Stretching is very important.  Skipping stretching is very bad.
2.  Eating something heavy (like fettuccine alfredo) for the first time in two weeks is also very bad.  Even if it is on your "off" day and don't plan on doing anything.  
3.  Chaffing sucks.
4.  My upper body is very weak.
5.  I have decent lower body strength, but plenty of room for improvement.
6.  I want to look like Dream Runner Hilaree.
7.  Still diet coke free after three weeks.  I am waiting for coca-cola to call me and beg me to come back.  That's how much diet coke I was drinking daily.  

Some of you have asked what race I am running.  Here is the link.  You can even check out the registration and see my name.  Thanks for checking in!