Week Eleven

"I'm not a good runner, but I'm better than someone who doesn't run at all."
        ~"Sully" Sullenberger

I picked up an issue of Runner's World while I was stuck in the airport last week.  I came across this quote and had to chuckle.  No matter how ridiculous I look when I run, at least I am out there, right?  I will have this quote plastered to the bathroom mirror, on a piece of paper in my wallet, on my fridge, in my gym bag, and pretty much everywhere else I can think of until this process is over. I had put together a pretty tough to-do list for this week.  I failed.  Miserably.  I did make it to the gym, but the two-a-days didn't happen and I only lasted about an hour on each workout.

I dropped the ball on diet this week.  I guess not so much "dropped" the ball as slammed it into the ground.  I am a little ashamed of myself. I hate dieting!!  I wish I was allergic to all junk food and only had a taste for lean protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grain.  Wouldn't that be grand!  Oh and of course my appetite would suddenly go away after just one serving.  I better keep dreaming.   Anyway, I picked up a book this week that a friend recommended.  It's called Eating Mindfully.  If you feel like you have a  not-so-great relationship with food I would highly recommend it as well.  Several years ago I got myself started on some bad habits when it came to eating.

For a long time I kept myself very busy.  In high school I was active.  I had school, dance, cheerleading, more dance, a part-time job, and so on to keep me running around all the time.  In college I took a full-time schedule of classes and worked at least 30 hours per week as a server and bartender, still finding time in there for football and parties.  I started working for Toyota and quickly found I needed to have a second job with that as well.  I would start work at 7:00 a.m. then head straight to the job number two that was either bar tending or working retail.  I was regularly on my feet for hours at a time, running around, and eating on the go.  I never really had time to taste my food.  I would just inhale whatever I could going from point A to point B.  After moving to Texas, things slowed down (including my metabolism).  I was still working full-time, but no second job.  My stress level had increased ten fold.  I was still chomping down meals while doing something else, never really just enjoying a meal.  Until I started reading this book, I didn't realize just how bad this habit was.  I now have more time on my hands, but haven't really taken the time to adjust the way I eat.  This is my newest task.  Trying to establish a new routine with the way I fuel my body.  Wish me luck.  It's going to be a tough adjustment.  It probably sounds really stupid to those of you who are blessed with self control when it comes to eating.  I do not have that gift.  I have been able to kick soda out of my life, so I guess I can be reprogrammed.  It's going to take some major will power and planning.  Ugh.

I was really excited to get back to the gym.  Could this be a glimpse of the mysterious runner's high?  Me, excited about a workout, especially one that is going to hurt?  Maybe?  I must say, I killed it in my PT sessions.  I could tell Jason was pleased to see me come back and hit it hard.  I was very surprised at how well I performed, especially after the drinking and heavy food for four days straight.  I can really feel a difference in the strength of my legs.  I think this is in large part due to those damn squats.  Flexibility is another area where I am gaining ground.  I'm still waiting to see results in the form of a shrinking waistline.  Jason tells me this is likely the last place I will notice it.  He tells me the first place the weight shows up is usually the last place it leaves.

Running is still very, very difficult.  I sound like a broken record.  I bet you are just waiting for the day I start an entry with "I LOVE RUNNING!  IT'S THE BEST!  I FEEL GREAT!"  Well, stay tuned.  Maybe I 'll surprise you.  I continue to find myself very frustrated.  I am experiencing some new foot pain.  I don't think the cramping is ever going to go away.  I expect that if this is something I stick with that I will always have this issue.  In the last 3 weeks or so a new pain has appeared on the top of my left foot and outside of the left foot.  One of he guys at the gym re-laced my shoes to help take some of the pressure off the top.  I can't tell yet if it's working.  Plantar Fasciitis is still a nightmare. I am probably not helping the situation by pounding my feet on the ground on a regular basis, but I only have five more weeks to try to make this thing a reality.

Five weeks: not nearly long enough.  My insecurities as a rookie and the fear of failure come to mind every time I set out to the gym.  In my head I know that even if I only last one hour that is still a big accomplishment for me.  The thing is, I don't sign up for things that I am not 100% certain I will do well.  I'm ok with not being the best, but it's important to me to be well above average.  I've been this way for as long as I can remember.  It gets me totally pissed, too.

I have a trip to Denver planned for the weekend after the race.  I plan on either celebrating a personal victory or drowning my sorrows at the Derby Party.  While there, I am hoping to be able to set up a couple appointments with Jared's running coach.  It can't hurt to consult the pro's.  I probably should have done a little more of this in the beginning.  Ah, the clarity of hind site!

I was checking out some other races in the area.  There is another 1/2 marathon in Bethlehem, PA in October.  I have considered signing up for another one to keep a goal out in front of me.  I have feeling that I will read that in 5 weeks and respond with an emphatic Hell No!  I think another race would be good, but I think a Warrior Dash or Hero Dash might be more fun.  We'll just have to see how this thing goes next month.

My More Realistic To-Do List For The Next Week:

1.  Gym.  6 days a week.  No excuses and giving it hell every time.
2.  Continue to schedule enough sleep.  I feel like this makes me sound lazy, but over the last week when I didn't get enough sleep it was a nightmare to keep up any part of the rest of the routine.  The last week of the month is always extremely stressful and unpredictable.  The more rest I get, the better for all parties who interact with me on a daily basis.
3.  Eat "mindfully" and make time for meals that aren't eaten at my desk, on the couch, or in the car.
4.  Stretch, foam roll, repeat.  My I.T. Band and Plantar Fascia need the most work.
5.  Morning workouts are happening this week.  Even if they are just 20 minute ab routines, morning yoga, or the kettle bell video, there will be some fat blasting or stretching and toning happening in the living room.

Thanks for sticking with me for the last 3 months!  We're almost there!!