So folks, it looks like it's time for me to resurrect this running blog again. But this time, I think it is not going to be just about running. I think it's time for me to be more transparent. At least in terms of my body image, wanting to lose weight, my motivations for running, etc.
To just put it out there, I'd like to lose at least15 pounds. Why? And how did I get to this point? Well, for starters, I am not happy at my current weight. I've only been here for 3 months, but I hate it. I always heard that you gain weight when you get married, but I thought I'd be different. Not so. My wedding was 4 months ago, and I'm already 6 pounds heavier than I was on my wedding day. Not good. My satisfaction with my body has plummeted. My most recent weight gain is probably a combination of 1) Being happy (being a newlywed is awesome!), 2) Less time to exercise (I moved to another city and spend a lot of my day driving), 3) Often eating unhealthily (again, less time to prepare healthy food), 4) A crazy food and wine fest on our Honeymoon in late November combined with the same over Christmas.
I think I've REALLY wanted to lose weight for the past 2 years or so, but nothing I've tried has worked. Mostly because I don't have the discipline to stick to both diet and enough exercise. I've always thought, "Oh, I'll just train for another race to get my mileage up and burn more calories", or "Oh, I'll eat healthy for a few weeks and drop the 5 pounds that just came on recently". Unlike most brides, I didn't even lose weight for my wedding! But since I turned 25, my weight has crept up and up. I rationalize it by saying, "My clothes still fit...I still look the same, my husband thinks I look great, etc". But, I've hit the point where I don't want to rationalize anymore. I don't want to gain 5 more pounds every 2 years. Soon, I'll be rationalizing 10 more pounds, and then maybe 20. No, my doctor doesn't think I'm overweight, so it is not a dire health issue like many people who need to lose weight. But I don't feel healthy. My jeans are a bit tight and fit differently. I gain weight in my abdomen, which is the least healthy place to gain. Unless I am training hardcore for a race or marathon, I don't exercise enough. I'm lazy (obviously not just as a runner!).
So, I think I'm finally ready to embark on a weight-loss journey. A journey of facing my issues with food (I always view it as a treat and not fuel!), becoming more disciplined with exercise, and sticking with something sensible. It won't be dramatic (I don't have 100 or even 50 pounds to lose!). It may be a long journey (I am never good at losing 1 pound per week!). And, I don't have any special insight, but I do think there are probably more folks out there like me...who could stand to lose a few pounds, but don't have the motivation. I'm working on my motivation, I guess, and putting this out in the blog world is probably a good start!
My goal weight is 150 pounds. When I think back on my adult body, that is where I was most happy with my body...both health-wise, image-wise, and life-wise. Funny that when I was at 150 pounds...I was happy, but would have preferred to be at 140! But, that is an issue to write about at another time.
There is so much more I could write about (my food plan, my exercise plan, my history with weight loss/gain, food, and exercise), but then, I'd have nothing to blog about in the future! So here we go...
Day 1, March 31st, 2011
Stats
Height: 5'7"
Starting weight: 165 lbs
BMI: 25.8 (technically overweight...but I fall into the muscular/athletic body type)
Measurements
Chest (around ribcage): 34.5"
Hips: 41"
Waist: 32.5"
I will plan to update these stats weekly.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, January 25, 2010
Lazy Blogger, Too
So obviously, the Goofy Challenge is complete! I finished, and finished strong, uninjured, and feeling good.
I don't feel like posting my own recap at this point in the game, so feel free to hop on over to my training partners' blog to read her race report! We ran the whole thing together, so her race report is essentially mine, too!
Race Report
I don't feel like posting my own recap at this point in the game, so feel free to hop on over to my training partners' blog to read her race report! We ran the whole thing together, so her race report is essentially mine, too!
Race Report
Thursday, January 7, 2010
T-2 Days and Counting...
Well...tomorrow is the day we hop on a plane and fly to sunny Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Or not so sunny...cold-maybe-rainy Orlando, Florida. That's right...after all of my looking forward to a 50s/60s temp for the marathon, Florida is experiencing on of its longest cold snaps in years. The one year I've chosen to do the Goofy Challenge...
But, honestly, I am not that upset about the weather. I'd prefer cold to 80 degrees, which they had 3 years ago. We've trained in snow, sleet, rain, 20s, 30s, 40s...I'm probably ready for anything!
My training recently though, has been a bit lacking due to the severe weather we've had here in Maryland. I missed my last 22 mile run due to the 2 foot blizzard, so my taper was actually 5 weeks instead of 3. I had a bit of a head cold/allergy issue and missed the 12 miles the next week. I made up for it by running 6,5, and 5 respectively last week...but then a wind chill of 0 and 30 mph gusts on Sunday kept me inside and I missed 9 miles. This week has been busy, and I'm just hoping to get out for 3 before I begin packing. So, if training hard and then resting really well means a good race...I should be fabulous! I think it will all be ok, though.
Wish me luck! Race reports to come when I return from the Land of Mickey!
But, honestly, I am not that upset about the weather. I'd prefer cold to 80 degrees, which they had 3 years ago. We've trained in snow, sleet, rain, 20s, 30s, 40s...I'm probably ready for anything!
My training recently though, has been a bit lacking due to the severe weather we've had here in Maryland. I missed my last 22 mile run due to the 2 foot blizzard, so my taper was actually 5 weeks instead of 3. I had a bit of a head cold/allergy issue and missed the 12 miles the next week. I made up for it by running 6,5, and 5 respectively last week...but then a wind chill of 0 and 30 mph gusts on Sunday kept me inside and I missed 9 miles. This week has been busy, and I'm just hoping to get out for 3 before I begin packing. So, if training hard and then resting really well means a good race...I should be fabulous! I think it will all be ok, though.
Wish me luck! Race reports to come when I return from the Land of Mickey!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Slacking Off...Even in the midst of my taper!
So somehow, I've made it to the taper stage of my Goofy Challenge training. Hallelujah! Unfortunately, I seem to be using it as an excuse to completely slack off of running. Last week, I ran a total of 7 miles. Seven! And it was difficult to even do those! I mean, granted...it was Christmas week, and we did have 2 feet of snow on the ground/sidewalks that didn't melt for a week...but I still felt lazy. And ate a ton of food. I know they say you are supposed to gain a little weight during the taper, but I'm at a whopping 4 llbs! Must be all that chocolate cake and Chick-fil-A I've been putting away...
I've also had a bit of a stuffy nose/head, which has made me lazy. At least, that was my excuse for skipping 12 miles on Sunday. I ran 6 with my training partner in the cold, windy dark last night instead. It actually wasn't too bad. We're going to attempt to get 6 more in Thursday after work. Except, it is supposed to rain/snow again. Lovely. This weekend is scheduled for 4 miles on Saturday, and 8 on Sunday. I'm going to up it to 5 and 9 to try and make up for some of my recent laziness.
The bonus to this 5 week taper is I think my body is starting to heal from a lot of the little nagging injuries I was ignoring during the high mileage portion of training...a crunchy ankle, tight hip, and achy achilles/calf. All of those have pretty much gone away, and I feel ready to take on a half marathon followed by a full marathon. Mileage-wise, I have 24 more miles to run before the races.
If I ever say I want to do something like this again, someone please dissuade me! I know I will be so happy to have finished, but it has really taken a toll on me! Back-to-back weekend runs allow no time for sleeping in, or the weekend AM coffee-in-hand-couch-lounging. I can't wait for the "mandatory" 2 week break that I'm supposed to take once we are done with the races! I know some people run/exercise after a few days, but I will not be one of them. If the experts say I need to take two weeks off, I'm going to listen to them. Who am I, the Lazy Runner, to question the running experts?
I've also had a bit of a stuffy nose/head, which has made me lazy. At least, that was my excuse for skipping 12 miles on Sunday. I ran 6 with my training partner in the cold, windy dark last night instead. It actually wasn't too bad. We're going to attempt to get 6 more in Thursday after work. Except, it is supposed to rain/snow again. Lovely. This weekend is scheduled for 4 miles on Saturday, and 8 on Sunday. I'm going to up it to 5 and 9 to try and make up for some of my recent laziness.
The bonus to this 5 week taper is I think my body is starting to heal from a lot of the little nagging injuries I was ignoring during the high mileage portion of training...a crunchy ankle, tight hip, and achy achilles/calf. All of those have pretty much gone away, and I feel ready to take on a half marathon followed by a full marathon. Mileage-wise, I have 24 more miles to run before the races.
If I ever say I want to do something like this again, someone please dissuade me! I know I will be so happy to have finished, but it has really taken a toll on me! Back-to-back weekend runs allow no time for sleeping in, or the weekend AM coffee-in-hand-couch-lounging. I can't wait for the "mandatory" 2 week break that I'm supposed to take once we are done with the races! I know some people run/exercise after a few days, but I will not be one of them. If the experts say I need to take two weeks off, I'm going to listen to them. Who am I, the Lazy Runner, to question the running experts?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Blizzard '09
Remember that winter storm I mentioned in the last blog? Well, it definitely hit...and thus I didn't complete the 22 mile run. By the time I woke up Saturday morning, there was already 4 inches or so on the ground, and it didn't let up. We ended up with over 20 inches of snow. Yikes! I have never seen that much snow in my life!
I did get 11 miles in on Friday morning, though. We ran from my house through Eastport, to the Naval Academy, and back. I'm glad that was accomplished, because I still don't think I'll be able to get out on the roads to run anytime soon! There are still huge mounds of snow in most places where the sidewalk should be!
Today, I managed 3 miles on the dreadmill at the office during lunch. My training partner (who ran 20 miles on the treadmill during the snow...crazy!) is out of town for the holidays, so I'll be running on my own this weekend. Since we are now in the taper phase, I have 4 on the schedule for Saturday, and 12 on Sunday. I don't look forward to running 12 by myself, so I've talked my boyfriend into riding his bike on the NCR Trail while I run. He won't be with me, but at least I'll be motivated to get out there!
I did get 11 miles in on Friday morning, though. We ran from my house through Eastport, to the Naval Academy, and back. I'm glad that was accomplished, because I still don't think I'll be able to get out on the roads to run anytime soon! There are still huge mounds of snow in most places where the sidewalk should be!
Today, I managed 3 miles on the dreadmill at the office during lunch. My training partner (who ran 20 miles on the treadmill during the snow...crazy!) is out of town for the holidays, so I'll be running on my own this weekend. Since we are now in the taper phase, I have 4 on the schedule for Saturday, and 12 on Sunday. I don't look forward to running 12 by myself, so I've talked my boyfriend into riding his bike on the NCR Trail while I run. He won't be with me, but at least I'll be motivated to get out there!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Playing Catch Up on This Here Blog
Well, since I last posted on this blog, I've logged 51 miles. Yikes! It has only been 2 weeks, but that shows you how much I've been running!
The 10 miles/20 miles weekend was a tough one. Saturday morning, we ended up running in rain/snow. We logged 10 miles on the BWI Trail Loop around the airport. The weather started out as rain, and gradually changed over to snow as it got colder. My rain jacket doesn't work so well anymore; thus, I was soaked through by the end of the run. We went to lunch afterwards, and it took me about 3 hours post-shower to warm up!
Our 20 miler was a test of will. We woke up to clear skies, but the snow from the day before had frozen over, so the B&A Trail was rather icy. 3 miles into the run, I wasn't at all sure if I could continue. At about Mile 6, I started to feel better, and by 8 I was ready to finish the whole thing. My only issue was a very tight hamstring for the last 2 miles. I suffered through, though.
Last weekend was an easy 6 miles on Saturday, and 12 miles on Sunday. To get the miles in, we actually ran the Anniversary Race through Quiet Waters Park. The race is only 9.3 miles, so we ran 2.7 beforehand. It was, of course, raining. I was soaked again, and chilled again. This run wasn't the greatest...I was tired and didn't want to do it at all. I perservered again, though. Perserverance seems to be becoming my running theme...
This weekend is going to be rough. It's our last long run weekend with 11 on Friday morning and 22 on Saturday. The issue (besides the distance)? The forecasters are calling for a Winter Storm. Of course! That's just what we need for our 22 mile run...snow and wind all day. Lovely. I am planning on heading out to by a new rain jacket...but if it's too bad, I'm going to bag the 22 and just do as many as I can. It's not worth getting sick over...at this point, we've logged 2 20ish mile runs, with back to backs, as well. If we dont' get 22 in, then we'll just have a month long taper. You do what you can...
The 10 miles/20 miles weekend was a tough one. Saturday morning, we ended up running in rain/snow. We logged 10 miles on the BWI Trail Loop around the airport. The weather started out as rain, and gradually changed over to snow as it got colder. My rain jacket doesn't work so well anymore; thus, I was soaked through by the end of the run. We went to lunch afterwards, and it took me about 3 hours post-shower to warm up!
Our 20 miler was a test of will. We woke up to clear skies, but the snow from the day before had frozen over, so the B&A Trail was rather icy. 3 miles into the run, I wasn't at all sure if I could continue. At about Mile 6, I started to feel better, and by 8 I was ready to finish the whole thing. My only issue was a very tight hamstring for the last 2 miles. I suffered through, though.
Last weekend was an easy 6 miles on Saturday, and 12 miles on Sunday. To get the miles in, we actually ran the Anniversary Race through Quiet Waters Park. The race is only 9.3 miles, so we ran 2.7 beforehand. It was, of course, raining. I was soaked again, and chilled again. This run wasn't the greatest...I was tired and didn't want to do it at all. I perservered again, though. Perserverance seems to be becoming my running theme...
This weekend is going to be rough. It's our last long run weekend with 11 on Friday morning and 22 on Saturday. The issue (besides the distance)? The forecasters are calling for a Winter Storm. Of course! That's just what we need for our 22 mile run...snow and wind all day. Lovely. I am planning on heading out to by a new rain jacket...but if it's too bad, I'm going to bag the 22 and just do as many as I can. It's not worth getting sick over...at this point, we've logged 2 20ish mile runs, with back to backs, as well. If we dont' get 22 in, then we'll just have a month long taper. You do what you can...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Too Much Time off for Turkey Day
It was a real struggle for me to run during Thanksgiving week. But, I managed to get some miles in anyway. Not the mileage that I needed, but I was proud of myself for doing what I did! Tuesday night, it was raining, but I knew I needed to do something to prevent my legs from forgetting how to run. I ran 3 miles by running up and down my street twice. Boring.
I flew to SC for the holiday, and forced myself to get up and out for 3 miles on Friday morning. We had early mornings each day I was there. I was supposed to log 6 on Saturday, but I just couldn't do it! I was awake in time, but I couldn't get myself out the door. It was in the 30s, and I had neglected to bring warm enough gear. I also just wanted to sit, relax, and drink my coffee. So that's what I did!
Sunday, I was back in town, and met some friends for a nice, slow 12 miles. We ran to Thomas Point, and then an abbreviated Bay Ridge loop. Surprisingly, it wasn't really a tough run, even with all of the hills! My total mileage for the week was 18...lower than it should be, but I think I will survive.
This weekend is another "cornerstone" with 10 and 20 on the schedule. I popped out 3 today on the dreadmill at the office, and will hopefully have rested legs in time for the 30 mile weekend. I believe we will be running 10 miles in the rain on the BWI trail Saturday. It's back to the good ole B&A Trail on Sunday for 20 miles. Sunday is supposed to be sunny, but cold. I'll take cold over rain for 20 miles any day!
I flew to SC for the holiday, and forced myself to get up and out for 3 miles on Friday morning. We had early mornings each day I was there. I was supposed to log 6 on Saturday, but I just couldn't do it! I was awake in time, but I couldn't get myself out the door. It was in the 30s, and I had neglected to bring warm enough gear. I also just wanted to sit, relax, and drink my coffee. So that's what I did!
Sunday, I was back in town, and met some friends for a nice, slow 12 miles. We ran to Thomas Point, and then an abbreviated Bay Ridge loop. Surprisingly, it wasn't really a tough run, even with all of the hills! My total mileage for the week was 18...lower than it should be, but I think I will survive.
This weekend is another "cornerstone" with 10 and 20 on the schedule. I popped out 3 today on the dreadmill at the office, and will hopefully have rested legs in time for the 30 mile weekend. I believe we will be running 10 miles in the rain on the BWI trail Saturday. It's back to the good ole B&A Trail on Sunday for 20 miles. Sunday is supposed to be sunny, but cold. I'll take cold over rain for 20 miles any day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
