I needed this today...

okay, not the part about the food, but the part about the running...

http://eatliverun.com/reader-beware-long-rant-ahead/#comments

5k v.2

I ran in a last minute 5k this past weekend. Not prepared and not sure I could even run 3 miles. I've had a heck of a time getting my mileage back up after my calf injury a few months ago. However, when I got the email from my friend, M, at the beginning of last week, I felt compelled to say "sure!" Last time, my goal was to run the whole thing without walking any of it. I accomplished that goal! This time, I wasn't as confident about running the whole thing, but my goal was to finish it in less time than my last one (a speedy 40.22 haha).

It was a hilly, calf-achingly, difficult run, but I did it! Chip time was 39.11 (which allowed me to officially say I beat my last time, although not by much! :) I walked a few of the hills, but I walked quickly. I think my pacing was a problem...ran the first mile WAY too quickly and never was able to really recover. Didn't help that the whole last half was uphill (or maybe it just felt that way!).

5k #2 is behind me and I'm going to work towards the next one - RFTC on October 3. I've found that having a race on the calendar keeps me motivated. Right now, however, my calves and shin splints are so sore, I can't imagine going out to run. I'll give myself another day or two to rest, then hit the pavement again! This is a little addictive.

On the weight front, I think I've gained a few pounds in the last few weeks. I've been very bad about tracking...so, this week, back on the tracking bandwagon...ugh. So sick of doing that.

New Pics

I've added photos to my picture page...

blah

I am just so sad. I feel trapped and I just want out.

weight is fine...down to 192 and doing well on ww and running. my issues are unrelated.

so down.

I heart Ann Taylor LOFT

Why? Because it's the first REGULAR store in many, many years that I have walked into, picked things off the rack, tried them on, and bought them. Not a plus size. Not a "missus" size. A regular size (albeit XL) that I tried on and things fit. And I liked them. And I bought them. To most people, this doesn't seem like a big deal, but to me, it's huge. So huge, in fact, that my last blog was called "The Regular Store" because my big goal at the time was to fit in clothes at the regular stores. So, it was quite the milestone for me.

I haven't been writing much and I've been trying to figure out why. I've been doing fine on my weight loss - it's coming off very slowly, but it's still coming off. I've been doing okay on my running - not as great as I'd like it to, but I'm still getting out there three or four times a week and I'm planning on running in another 5k race in October. I think I'm not writing mainly because I don't think anyone else reads this. When I'm writing for myself, it's mainly to capture progress or to write things down that are weighing on me and I just haven't had that much that I need to say to myself. If I thought others were reading, I'd be more likely to pop in and say "Just wanted to say hi! I'm doing fine and I hope you are."

So, if there's anyone out there, "Hi! I'm doing fine and I hope you are." If noone is out there, then to me, "Good job, girl! I knew you could do it and we'll keep going back to LOFT to celebrate the success!"

YUM

N saw a commercial the other day that talked about sticking a Yoplait Whips! yogurt (3WW points) into the freezer. So, we grabbed a few of my key lime pie yogurts and gave it a shot. SO YUMMY. It's like having an ice cream treat, but it's healthy, low in points and guilt-free! Great idea, Yoplait!!! Gotta try some other flavors in there...I'm thinking the chocolate might be a good one...

BTW...we tried it with the non-whipped kind and it didn't work well...too icy.

Up to Date...

Wow. I can't believe it's been this long since I've written. Part of it that there were a few weeks off from WW. WW weigh in days tend to be my reminder to write something. Without the weigh ins, I guess I'm forgetful. Honestly, I haven't officially weighed in since the last time on here. I think my weight has held steady. I don't think I've lost, but I don't think I've gained either. Had a couple of not-so-great food weeks, but have been very active and I think the activity has kept the weight in check.

We went on vacation...super-activity vacation....Carowinds one day, hiking in the mountains the next...17 mile bike ride down the Virginia Creeper trail...rafting on the New River. Finished off with a trip to my in-laws for my FILs 80th birthday! It was a crazy busy, crazy fun week. Lots of calories burned and lots of calories consumed! So, I started fresh on Sunday when we returned. I've been tracking and running every day. Not long distances, but I got a Nike + for my birthday (also last week) and I've been playing with it in the evenings! I LOVE IT!!! Every night, I plan to gradually increase my distance until I've worked back up to 3 miles. Hopefully, it won't take too long to get back. Meanwhile, my calf is doing great. I seem to have mild shin splints right now, but it's manageable and not nearly like the calf strain problem from the past few months!


I guess I've discovered two immensely important things this past week. All of a sudden, it's occurred to me that I feel confident I can continue this weight loss journey without WW. All of a sudden, I just kind of "get it". I know when I'm doing well; I know when I'm not doing so well; I know what to eat; I know when I need to regain control by tracking again; I know that exercise is key; I have a great support system around me. It's like the bulb switched on and I realize I can do this. Forever. For real. Let me stop for a moment and absorb that.

Okay.

The other realization is how much better shape I'm in this year. Last year, we went for a hike in the mountains with my brother and his family. Climbing that mountain just about killed me. I truly lagged behind and I felt like I must have had the Biggest Loser cameras following me. In fact, that's the only way I was able to keep going - I pretended the TBL cameras were on me and I was doing one of their challenges. I stopped to rest a zillion times, was woefully out of breath and miserable. I just wanted to cry. I came home from that trip feeling like such a failure and such a loser that I had let myself get into such a bad condition. I, to this day, believe that was a turning point for me. It took me almost six more months to kick into gear, but that day had a huge impact on me. Fastforward to this year, I may not have run up the mountain, but I stayed the same pace as my kids (last year, they raced ahead of me). M lagged behind ME this time! Although I felt bad for him because I know how that feels, I had a smile on my face the whole time. I managed the climb relatively easily and I fel tremendously proud of how far I've come. I may still have a long way to go, but it was one of those "look back and see where I came from" kind of moments. It was awesome.