Slacking, but Getting Back on the Road

My parents came to visit last weekend. They stayed at our apartment, so, while it was really great to have them here, it was not very conducive to running. Then I just let that laziness roll into the next week.

I finally ran again yesterday. Chris is training for a full marathon in October, and I've decided to do the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon again this year. So we headed out at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday to log 5 miles. It didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but at least I got some miles down. First, it was too hot to be out - about 93 degrees. Second, we forgot to bring water. At about mile 2, I was completely parched. Third, at about mile 2.5, I started feeling a little woozy. Thankfully, at our turn-around point, there was this cool little woods trail next to a creek. Chris brought a bandanna, so I dunked that in the water and wrapped it around my neck for the rest of the walk. But overall, we walked/ran (mostly walked) 4.75 miles.

Another good thing this week: I'm down 0.5 lbs. Although it's not the 2 lbs I'd hope for (for the past 2 weeks), it's better than gaining, especially given the fat-girl fest that my parents' visit and Memorial Day has presented!

Stats so far:
Total Distance To-Date: 16.15 miles
Percentage of Goal (500 miles): 3.23%

This week, I plan to hit the training hard. Today is Memorial Day (thank you, troops!). Our pool is open now, so I'm going to do a 30-minute swim today. Tomorrow - back to the office (yuck), with a 30-minute run in the morning. Wednesday - weight training after work. Thursday - 30-minute morning run. Friday - rest. Saturday - long run (5 miles).

Pickups with a geriatric dog

This week is going really well so far. On Tuesday night, Chris and I went to a local bookstore. He bought me Kara Goucher's Running for Women. I started reading it right away. It's really motivational. I dreamt I was as fast a Kara that night!

Yesterday, I got in a 25-minute weight training session after work. Instead of resting between sets, I try to do supersets to keep my body moving and challenged. Some of my harder exercises: surrenders and single-leg military presses. Those always get strange looks from other gym-goers.

Last night, we went out for sushi. I was really on target with my food choices - miso soup, one gyoza, 3 vegetable sushi rolls, 2 spicy tuna, 2 eel, and 1 spider (I showed great restraint for the fried crab!).

Today, I'm working from home. I took the old lady (my 11-year-old Husky) for a walk today, as it was relatively cool (about 55 degrees). We did about a 2.8-mile walk, with 2 hill progressions and 5 pickups. That's about the best I can get out of her.

Distance: 2.83 miles
Duration: 0:57:47
Pace: 20:25
Calories Burned: 238

Mental Health Day

I took today off work. I have been working way too hard and putting everything else at the bottom of the priority list, including exercising. I was owed four hours of "comp time" anyway today, so I just decided to take the whole day.

Did a 4.75-mile run this afternoon. It was about 65 degrees and drizzly. Not ideal running weather, but at least it's not too hot yet. My legs still feel a little Jell-o-ey (okay, I know that's not a word, but it sounds right) and I just couldn't find a pace. I was all over the place - fast runs, then had to walk. Also, I really need to do hill work. I am pathetic with hills.

Distance: 4.75 miles
Duration: 1:06:27
Pace: 0:14:00
Calories burned: 565

Last night was indeed a late night, but a good night. We celebrated our friends' Tommy & Kellie's marriage in Birmingham, Chris played drums for a few songs with his former bandmates at the reception, and we got to hang out with some other old friends. I drove us back late last night - we got home around 2 a.m. ATL time.

The good: I only had 1-1/2 beers. (If any of you know me, you'd know that me not having drinks at a party is almost impossible). The bad: I ate a McDonald's QP w/cheese at 12:30 a.m. Decidedly diet un-friendly.

Today, my legs are a little sore, but in a good way. Just a solid burn where your legs are saying, "Hey! It's been a while - take it easy!"

Braves v. Phillies this afternoon. It's Civil Rights Day at the Ted. The Braves will be wearing their 1974 throw-back uniforms; that's the year Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record. I'm excited.

Planning to do some cross training this evening, but we'll see.

Still a Penguin

First run back in about 3 weeks. I have really been slacking lately. Did a loop around the neighborhood. For early May in Atlanta, the weather was pretty nice: low 70s, breezy. I still sweated like a beast, but that's just me.

3.82 miles
0:49:15 duration
12:54 pace
burned 482 calories

Tonight, Chris and I are going to Birmingham for a friend's wedding reception. Since I'm no longer drinking (can't drink on my PCOS meds), I will be the designated driver. It's bound to be a long day.

Tomorrow, we're going to the afternoon Braves game. Planning to get in cross training in the morning - just some weight training at the house.

Athena to Atalanta

The Athena Division is a racing division for "larger" women (typically over 150 pounds). I know some people might be offended by what I'm going to say, but for me, it's the "fat girl" division. Hear me out: if you're 5' 7" and 150 lbs, then your BMI is 23.5, which is considered normal. But if you're me, and you're 5' 1" and 150 lbs, then your BMI is 28.3, which is considered overweight. So yeah, it's the "fat girl" division for me. I don't want to be there anymore.

I have been running since March 2009. When I started running, I was about 170 pounds (BMI = 32.1 (or obese)). I'm currently at 157.9 pounds (BMI = 29.8, just under obesity cutoff of 29.9), with my lowest weight so far at 149 pounds (BMI = 28.2). I'm still clinically overweight, and was recently diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. I've decided that I need to take my health and weight more seriously, and thus recommit to running and pushing my limits.

My ultimate goal with this project is to get faster, stronger, and slimmer.

Now, some milestones I hope to attain, and tools to get there:

1. 500 miles completed between now and December 31, 2011.
2. Lose an average of 1 lb per week over next six months (33 weeks), for a total of 33 pounds lost (goal weight of 125, or BMI = 23.6).
3. Focus on eating mostly whole foods, lean proteins, and fruits/vegetables.
4. Limit processed, fast food, caffeine, and alcohol to once per week.
5. Follow Weight Watchers - track, track, track what I eat and my activity points!