Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Swiss!
I have arrived in Switzerland! The trip was long, long, long, but happily uneventful. Tom has gone off to work on our first day here, and will be working long hours for the remaining four days we are here. What's a girl to do?
Well, first off, I'd better learn some damn French. I've travelled quite a bit, but NEVER alone internationally, so it's just a bit daunting. We are in the French speaking area of Switzerland, and while it seems that a good portion of the people speak at least a smattering of English, I feel waaay out of my depth. In fact, right now I am sitting on a bus, waiting for it to turn around and go back to the station because, well, it's the wrong damn bus. No worries, as we've just passed through some lovely countryside and I was able to see more of the area. It really is beautiful out here.
The lack of knowing the language is tough. It really makes me appreciate the small amount of Spanish that I have, because it is JUST enough for me to get by on the basics (in a spanish speaking country, natch) I am very much at a loss with French, though, and am super lucky that english isn't too much of a rarity. Also, Tom speaks pretty fluent German, so when he's around I'm covered. When he's NOT around, I just smile a lot.
Nevertheless, I'll make my way around. I've got train and bus tickets lined up for my first run, tomorrow, outside of Gruyere (Ooooh, like the cheese). It's a 17 km run through the countryside. Whilst this is not the run wherein I actually get to eat cheese, I'm sure it will be pretty spectacular. Two other very cool runs planned while I'm here, hopefully I don't screw up the public transportation again. I think I have it dialed in, though. This afternoon I've just "wasted" a couple of hours due to my own ignorance, but I did get some really nice views.
Tomorrow I will try to get my shit together, both with photos and mastering the train and bus. Meanwhile, Tom and his company have invited my out to dinner for tonight, and I'm looking forward to that. I may have an hour or so to squeeze in a run (assuming the bus I am NOW on is the correct one!) before then.
It was snowing when we left Tahoe, I am simply thrilled to be in this lovely spring weather!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
On the launch pad!
What's the point of this photo?
Let's see, is it to highlight the shoes? Just your average pair of trail running shoes, right? That's what I've thought, lo these six months they've been hiding in the back of my closet, patiently waiting for the snow to melt so they could feel the trail once again. Look closer, as I failed to do, and you might notice a few things. May I point out:
1. They are two lefts. Whilst I have been accused of "having two left feet" I am, in fact, normal in some ways, and that includes having both a left AND a right foot.
2. Ergo, they are from two different pairs of shoes, as one can easily tell by noting the fact that one is blue and the other is green, if one were actually paying attention.
3. Which means, some time ago, I WAS NOT paying attention, you know, when I was gathering stuff for Goodwill, and I must have taken only ONE of my worn out trail shoes, matched it with ONE of my mostly brand new and very slightly used trail shoes, and then donated the fuckers, I guess to some one legged trail runners? Like, months ago. Therefore,
4. Highlighting the shoes must NOT be the point of the photo, because why? would anyone! *ever* (much less publicly) admit to not only throwing away a perfectly excellent -- and pricey!-- pair of running shoes, but also rendering them completely and utterly useless TO ANYONE at the same time? (also, writing sentences that are probably quite hard to read. oops)
So, the point of the photo?
?
To show off how nicely this morning's pedicure (suggested so wisely by Rose and Lauren!) covers up the oogy toe of the last post, of course.
No other point here, folks.
Tomorrow will find me on a plane -- for 15! hours -- headed for Switzerland.
I have plans for Switzerland. Fribourg, to be exact. I'm gonna go running through the countryside. I have whole bunch of runs planned, with topos and .gpx. I'm gonna be a running fool.
There's even one run where I get to stop and sample cheeses along the way.
Seemingly lots of cows are around, too.
Stay tuned.
stuart . . . i cannot get the earring image out of my mind, even a week laterr. just, ewww!
Let's see, is it to highlight the shoes? Just your average pair of trail running shoes, right? That's what I've thought, lo these six months they've been hiding in the back of my closet, patiently waiting for the snow to melt so they could feel the trail once again. Look closer, as I failed to do, and you might notice a few things. May I point out:
1. They are two lefts. Whilst I have been accused of "having two left feet" I am, in fact, normal in some ways, and that includes having both a left AND a right foot.
2. Ergo, they are from two different pairs of shoes, as one can easily tell by noting the fact that one is blue and the other is green, if one were actually paying attention.
3. Which means, some time ago, I WAS NOT paying attention, you know, when I was gathering stuff for Goodwill, and I must have taken only ONE of my worn out trail shoes, matched it with ONE of my mostly brand new and very slightly used trail shoes, and then donated the fuckers, I guess to some one legged trail runners? Like, months ago. Therefore,
4. Highlighting the shoes must NOT be the point of the photo, because why? would anyone! *ever* (much less publicly) admit to not only throwing away a perfectly excellent -- and pricey!-- pair of running shoes, but also rendering them completely and utterly useless TO ANYONE at the same time? (also, writing sentences that are probably quite hard to read. oops)
So, the point of the photo?
?
To show off how nicely this morning's pedicure (suggested so wisely by Rose and Lauren!) covers up the oogy toe of the last post, of course.
No other point here, folks.
Tomorrow will find me on a plane -- for 15! hours -- headed for Switzerland.
I have plans for Switzerland. Fribourg, to be exact. I'm gonna go running through the countryside. I have whole bunch of runs planned, with topos and .gpx. I'm gonna be a running fool.
There's even one run where I get to stop and sample cheeses along the way.
Seemingly lots of cows are around, too.
Stay tuned.
stuart . . . i cannot get the earring image out of my mind, even a week laterr. just, ewww!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Really oogy photo in here
Sure, read the last post and see what kind of running I've been doing lately. HOWEVER, whilst busy not running, today (!) I passed a runner's milestone (somehow). Behold the evidence:
THAT is my Morton's toe, and that would be the toenail separating itself, for no apparent reason, from the nailbed. Yes, folks, I am on my way to the true distance runner sign, ugly-ass feet.
How this happened when I haven't been running a lot, I dunno, but there it is. 10% off my next pedicure??
Ahem.
Well, Hello Blog! And people! New readers and followers! 6 new ones in the past month, a month in which I have not blogged a word! Wow! How does that happen?
We've been here before, folks. Yes, another [insert long stretch of time here] has passed and I've not blogged, read much or in any other way contributed meaningfully to the blogosphere. I've REALLY retracted this time, though, and have blown off my coach, my training plan, and perhaps even my running plans for the fall. I even considered permanently pulling away from my digital existence COMPLETELY ala Pieces of Me, Formulaic et al and just getting on with life.
But. BUT! I keep on writing these cool blog posts in my head. Even if it never makes it beyond my head (see the last month), somehow that voice just doesn't go away. I've thought about how my running has just been dribbling along, I have this awesome coach that I am avoiding hugely (so easy to do with email!) for no real reason, I'm continually finding things to do other than running, and I'm all, What the hell do I have to blog about, really? Not the great distances that I've been piling up, the tips I've learned I can pass on to another, not the pain and triumphs whatever yadda yadda yadda, so what's the point?
Well, perhaps the point is that I'm struggling a little bit here, moreso than I have at any other time in my running life and maybe I should be documenting that, too, because that has to be a part of at least some runners' lives. So, new readers, if you want to read about some fine, motivated "real" runners who run when they should, blog when they should, do speedwork allowing them to run at faster than walking place, follow plans and are generally all-around good schmoes, click on just about any of those links on my sidebar. If, on the other hand, you want to be abandoned with no warning for looooong lengths of time, read sporadic posts consisting mainly of why I haven't posted in a while, interspersed with an occasional witty remark (often about shit) or photo of a very cool place, plus, oh yeah, a very occasional post about actually running (albiet slowly), well then you've found the right place! Pull up a chair and settle in for blast summary of the month of April, after which I will probably fade back into the woodwork again and not post for weeks.
I've never really excelled at positive affirmations, obviously.
Oh, and I also recently got an iPad . . . therefore I must blog.
THE RUNNING
It's been happening, though less than it should be. I dunno, I often just don't feel like it. No reason, not too lazy (because I've been doing other things than laying on the couch), just . . . ? When I run, I'm as happy as a clam, Yay! Whoppee! Look at me, I'm a runner! Loving it! and I just want to do it forever. But making the first step out the door has become a bigger and bigger obstacle. I have NO idea why, and I'm not even upset about it and I have NO idea why. ? Sure, me, fancying myself a Long Distance Runner with Ultrarunner aspirations, me of the can't-run-fast-so-I'll-run-long-instead "fame", yeah, me . . . has been averaging 10 mile weeks. Yes, me, who went out and hired a coach and has a professional training plan and all that to see what my potential is, . . . me, continues to ignore training plan and everything that goes with it (Genuinely sorry, SUAR). I guess my potential is for, 10 mile weeks? Wow!
But you know what? For some reason, I really don't much care. I'm quite ok, for now, with my sporadic flailings. I'm not kicking myself for my lassitude, as I have done in the past. I'm not thinking myself a lazy, no-good runner. I don't feel guilty (except, a little bit, for how I've handled (not handled) the coaching commitment). I'm just . . . waiting. For this period to be over. Someday, and I think its going to be someday soon (or, not), I'm going to wake up (and after 15 minutes of bedsuck) and suddenly feel like, Hey! In July I'm gonna run a 50K or whatever (hopefully that happens soon, or, no 50K in July!) so I better lay down some miles in a hurry here! Until then, I really am enjoying my little 5 mile runs. Training? Naaaah!
THE CROSSFIT
Certainly accounts for at least some of my running ennui. Because with this I have been challenged. Weight lifting, cardio, and general hard fuckin' work can be found in the walls of a Crossfit gym. I am WORKED here, one month in (and, yes, I suck hugely and am easily, easily! the slowest, weakest person in the class, time and time again) . . . and I love it. I've humiliated myself, hurt my tender arthritic back, dropped weights on the floor clang!, drooled and come very close to vomiting, and I love it. Twice a week (I've missed 2 classes all together) I head in all chirpy and ready and twice a week I slink out of class all shaky and weak and I love it. I'm waiting here, too, because I just know I'm gonna wake up one of these days and just you fucking watch me do a push-up, then a pull-up, then just take a look at my guns, man, because they're gonna be spectacular.
THE DIET
Oh man, oh man, I am on a diet! I have never dieted a day in my life, but woke up the other week (here I go with the waking up thing again, maybe if I just stayed in bed?!?) and weighed 158 pounds (on my 5'7" frame) and thought, Holy Shit! I'm gonna be 45 and FAT! And I took a look at all the Cokes and potato chips and 3 am vending machine visits (what else are you gonna halfway through a shift?) I've had and am like, surprised?!? So I did a little research and overheard a conversation or two and made a phone call and got myself on a Detox Diet.
Let me say first off that I don't believe in diets. I think that if you're heavy and want to lose weight you need a lifestyle change, and to eat less and exercise more, and all the cabbage soup and lemon-and-cayenne you can slurp up is not going to make any effective, long term change in your body type or overall level of health. It's not rocket science. Eat less, move more, get over it. And I eat a fairly healthy diet, most of the time, and I exercise more than many and am pretty healthy for an old broad. But. BUT! I have terrible habits. I drink an insane amount of Coke in any given day (not even diet coke), I skip breakfast, always! I love my jalapeno potato chips, late night snacking and second helpings. Chocolate! Cookies! Yummy! After all, I'm a runner, right?
This kind of thinking has got me to almost 160 pounds. Fit pounds, but a lot of big jiggly belly and wiggly arm pounds nonetheless (though my ass and legs look great, thank-you-very-much!). And before that 160 turns into 170 turns into 180 (as, inorexibly (sp?), 130 has turned into 140 and 150), it's time for me to break my shitty habits and re-style my way of thinking about food.
Thus, I'm doing this 21 day, dietician-supervised "detox" diet. 3 weeks to make a habit, 3 weeks to break a habit, right? I'm one week into this plan, which (briefly) consists of: No wheat, dairy, alcohol, refined sugar or corn. No calorie restriction, not really. Very balanced, organic meals of lean protein, mostly unlimited veggies, and a little bit of healthy fats (I typed "farts", and there's that, too!). Tea and sweet-tasting, no-calorie fizzy herbal energy drinks. LOTS of protein shakes, which also replace some meals. 3 "meals" a day, including breakfast (yes, Bootchez, breakfast!). The point is to wean myself off of all potential dietary "toxins" and see what happens. For me, the point is to learn a new way of eating. Force myself into good habits. Pay more attention to what I am fueling myself with. Balance. I don't intend to come off of this diet, and then continue with it. I don't intend to go back to my soon-to-be "old" ways, either. I intend to balance it out, and move forward eating healthier, eating organic, eating more balanced meals, and laying off the damn Cokes all the time. I intend to pay attention. If, in the 21 days, I happen to lose 10 pounds, that's all well and good but it's not the main goal. I did weigh myself the morning of day one (154 pounds), and won't weigh myself again until just before the end.
So far, it's been going amazingly well, I am totally surprised with myself. Minimal cravings, really tasty foods, and I'm leaning to cope with the protein shakes. I'll write more about the details later, but essentially I am eating super healthy, absolutely NO PROCESSED FOODS and . . . I am not curled up in the corner wishing for the sugar gods to visit. Not yet, anyway, 6 days in. I haven't cheated (oh, well, I guess I have as I have had 2 shots of tequila, but whatever), I haven't been too too hungry, and I'm really enjoying my (organic, health-food-store-purchased) meals. It's way too early to say, but I am very optimistic.
So, anyhow, that's April for me. I feel like I'm right on the verge of . . . something. Don't know what. Headed to Switzerland (running!) and Greece (running! and beaches!) in a week and a half, and am so totally burnt out from work that that seems far too long away. I'm happy, active and eating well. Life is pretty damn good. I'll try to keep up with the blogging!
We've been here before, folks. Yes, another [insert long stretch of time here] has passed and I've not blogged, read much or in any other way contributed meaningfully to the blogosphere. I've REALLY retracted this time, though, and have blown off my coach, my training plan, and perhaps even my running plans for the fall. I even considered permanently pulling away from my digital existence COMPLETELY ala Pieces of Me, Formulaic et al and just getting on with life.
But. BUT! I keep on writing these cool blog posts in my head. Even if it never makes it beyond my head (see the last month), somehow that voice just doesn't go away. I've thought about how my running has just been dribbling along, I have this awesome coach that I am avoiding hugely (so easy to do with email!) for no real reason, I'm continually finding things to do other than running, and I'm all, What the hell do I have to blog about, really? Not the great distances that I've been piling up, the tips I've learned I can pass on to another, not the pain and triumphs whatever yadda yadda yadda, so what's the point?
Well, perhaps the point is that I'm struggling a little bit here, moreso than I have at any other time in my running life and maybe I should be documenting that, too, because that has to be a part of at least some runners' lives. So, new readers, if you want to read about some fine, motivated "real" runners who run when they should, blog when they should, do speedwork allowing them to run at faster than walking place, follow plans and are generally all-around good schmoes, click on just about any of those links on my sidebar. If, on the other hand, you want to be abandoned with no warning for looooong lengths of time, read sporadic posts consisting mainly of why I haven't posted in a while, interspersed with an occasional witty remark (often about shit) or photo of a very cool place, plus, oh yeah, a very occasional post about actually running (albiet slowly), well then you've found the right place! Pull up a chair and settle in for blast summary of the month of April, after which I will probably fade back into the woodwork again and not post for weeks.
I've never really excelled at positive affirmations, obviously.
Oh, and I also recently got an iPad . . . therefore I must blog.
THE RUNNING
It's been happening, though less than it should be. I dunno, I often just don't feel like it. No reason, not too lazy (because I've been doing other things than laying on the couch), just . . . ? When I run, I'm as happy as a clam, Yay! Whoppee! Look at me, I'm a runner! Loving it! and I just want to do it forever. But making the first step out the door has become a bigger and bigger obstacle. I have NO idea why, and I'm not even upset about it and I have NO idea why. ? Sure, me, fancying myself a Long Distance Runner with Ultrarunner aspirations, me of the can't-run-fast-so-I'll-run-long-instead "fame", yeah, me . . . has been averaging 10 mile weeks. Yes, me, who went out and hired a coach and has a professional training plan and all that to see what my potential is, . . . me, continues to ignore training plan and everything that goes with it (Genuinely sorry, SUAR). I guess my potential is for, 10 mile weeks? Wow!
But you know what? For some reason, I really don't much care. I'm quite ok, for now, with my sporadic flailings. I'm not kicking myself for my lassitude, as I have done in the past. I'm not thinking myself a lazy, no-good runner. I don't feel guilty (except, a little bit, for how I've handled (not handled) the coaching commitment). I'm just . . . waiting. For this period to be over. Someday, and I think its going to be someday soon (or, not), I'm going to wake up (and after 15 minutes of bedsuck) and suddenly feel like, Hey! In July I'm gonna run a 50K or whatever (hopefully that happens soon, or, no 50K in July!) so I better lay down some miles in a hurry here! Until then, I really am enjoying my little 5 mile runs. Training? Naaaah!
THE CROSSFIT
Certainly accounts for at least some of my running ennui. Because with this I have been challenged. Weight lifting, cardio, and general hard fuckin' work can be found in the walls of a Crossfit gym. I am WORKED here, one month in (and, yes, I suck hugely and am easily, easily! the slowest, weakest person in the class, time and time again) . . . and I love it. I've humiliated myself, hurt my tender arthritic back, dropped weights on the floor clang!, drooled and come very close to vomiting, and I love it. Twice a week (I've missed 2 classes all together) I head in all chirpy and ready and twice a week I slink out of class all shaky and weak and I love it. I'm waiting here, too, because I just know I'm gonna wake up one of these days and just you fucking watch me do a push-up, then a pull-up, then just take a look at my guns, man, because they're gonna be spectacular.
THE DIET
Oh man, oh man, I am on a diet! I have never dieted a day in my life, but woke up the other week (here I go with the waking up thing again, maybe if I just stayed in bed?!?) and weighed 158 pounds (on my 5'7" frame) and thought, Holy Shit! I'm gonna be 45 and FAT! And I took a look at all the Cokes and potato chips and 3 am vending machine visits (what else are you gonna halfway through a shift?) I've had and am like, surprised?!? So I did a little research and overheard a conversation or two and made a phone call and got myself on a Detox Diet.
Let me say first off that I don't believe in diets. I think that if you're heavy and want to lose weight you need a lifestyle change, and to eat less and exercise more, and all the cabbage soup and lemon-and-cayenne you can slurp up is not going to make any effective, long term change in your body type or overall level of health. It's not rocket science. Eat less, move more, get over it. And I eat a fairly healthy diet, most of the time, and I exercise more than many and am pretty healthy for an old broad. But. BUT! I have terrible habits. I drink an insane amount of Coke in any given day (not even diet coke), I skip breakfast, always! I love my jalapeno potato chips, late night snacking and second helpings. Chocolate! Cookies! Yummy! After all, I'm a runner, right?
This kind of thinking has got me to almost 160 pounds. Fit pounds, but a lot of big jiggly belly and wiggly arm pounds nonetheless (though my ass and legs look great, thank-you-very-much!). And before that 160 turns into 170 turns into 180 (as, inorexibly (sp?), 130 has turned into 140 and 150), it's time for me to break my shitty habits and re-style my way of thinking about food.
Thus, I'm doing this 21 day, dietician-supervised "detox" diet. 3 weeks to make a habit, 3 weeks to break a habit, right? I'm one week into this plan, which (briefly) consists of: No wheat, dairy, alcohol, refined sugar or corn. No calorie restriction, not really. Very balanced, organic meals of lean protein, mostly unlimited veggies, and a little bit of healthy fats (I typed "farts", and there's that, too!). Tea and sweet-tasting, no-calorie fizzy herbal energy drinks. LOTS of protein shakes, which also replace some meals. 3 "meals" a day, including breakfast (yes, Bootchez, breakfast!). The point is to wean myself off of all potential dietary "toxins" and see what happens. For me, the point is to learn a new way of eating. Force myself into good habits. Pay more attention to what I am fueling myself with. Balance. I don't intend to come off of this diet, and then continue with it. I don't intend to go back to my soon-to-be "old" ways, either. I intend to balance it out, and move forward eating healthier, eating organic, eating more balanced meals, and laying off the damn Cokes all the time. I intend to pay attention. If, in the 21 days, I happen to lose 10 pounds, that's all well and good but it's not the main goal. I did weigh myself the morning of day one (154 pounds), and won't weigh myself again until just before the end.
So far, it's been going amazingly well, I am totally surprised with myself. Minimal cravings, really tasty foods, and I'm leaning to cope with the protein shakes. I'll write more about the details later, but essentially I am eating super healthy, absolutely NO PROCESSED FOODS and . . . I am not curled up in the corner wishing for the sugar gods to visit. Not yet, anyway, 6 days in. I haven't cheated (oh, well, I guess I have as I have had 2 shots of tequila, but whatever), I haven't been too too hungry, and I'm really enjoying my (organic, health-food-store-purchased) meals. It's way too early to say, but I am very optimistic.
So, anyhow, that's April for me. I feel like I'm right on the verge of . . . something. Don't know what. Headed to Switzerland (running!) and Greece (running! and beaches!) in a week and a half, and am so totally burnt out from work that that seems far too long away. I'm happy, active and eating well. Life is pretty damn good. I'll try to keep up with the blogging!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Some things
Yay! for running. I feel like I'm really back into it now, making my milage (sort of), running to a schedule, running in Marin (wow!), just enjoying the whole thing. The month of February and part of March was kinda like, Eh, I guess I have to go running. Lately, I've been way more into it and enjoying running again. I feel as though I've fully recovered from my ITB injury (which I am convinced happened because for one run only I ran on a really cambered road, and no other reason. I will stay away from such roads in the future, and hopefully will never have ITBS again). Now that I'm starting to put down long-ish (over 6 miles) runs again, my bowels are dis-remembering how to function while running and, oh, yesterday's run? 5 miles. 4 port-a-potties. 3 poops. Jeepers. Hopefully they sort themselves out quickly.
Yay! for Crossfit. I started this high-intensity strengthening program 3 weeks ago, and it. kicks. my. ass. Due to my wacky schedule, and the fact that this shit is pricey! I have only gone 2 times a week. So far, this is plenty. Some classes I can get through relatively easily, meaning that whilst I am inevitably the slowest person in the class and have to have a number of exercises modified to make up for my complete lack of upper body strength, I can, in fact, complete it and go on with my day. There's been two classes so far (emphasizing upper body strength, natch) that have floored me, leaving me weak as a kitten, trembling and ready for a nap. In one hour. Very powerful stuff! I'm totally into it, and am learning to lift weights and do all these other exercises that will strengthen my core and upper body (as well as lower body, which is pretty strong already). I really like the variety and the intensity. This is NOT for the faint of heart, and I'm really enjoying the challenge. Even though, like I said, I suck hugely at this (no surprise) and am the only weak, jiggly middle-aged woman in the class. But they all had to start somewhere, and I can only get stronger and improve. I'm ready. What HAS been a surprise, though, is that since I started attending I HAVE GAINED 8 POUNDS. Now, I assume that this is muscle or whatever, as I don't feel any heavier, and muscle weighs more than fat and yadda yadda yadda this I know because I actually weigh more (like, 10 pounds more) since I've really been running a lot (say, the past 2 years) even though I am thinner and clothes fit better, etc., etc., etc., but holy shit! I weighed myself this morning and (Tom, don't read this!) ZOMG!!! I weigh 158 pounds. This is a huge number for many reasons, not the least of which is ZOMG!!! 158 POUNDS! (I'm 5'7", medium frame), I've never NEVER weighed so much in my life! and, WOW! That's just, big (for me!). The other big reason this is a huge number is (and this is totally tongue in cheek, well, 90% tongue in cheek, you know) TOM weighs 158 pounds, most of the time, and I long ago decided that I. Will. NOT. weigh more than my partner, no way no how. Been there, done that, and I coulda squished him (AND I weighed like 140 at the time, so he was just a skinny little fuck). (OK so Tom just went in to the bathroom and with clothes keys and shoes on he's bringing down 162. But I weighed myself naked this morning, so.) We have always had a running joke that once I outweigh him, that's IT and we're done, 7.5 years together notwithstanding. We have reached that point and oh!
Boo! for 158 pounds. Now, obviously, I'm joking in the preceding paragraph. He won't leave because I outweigh him (will you, honey?), no no no. BUT! Some kind of rubicon has been crossed and I need to get my shit together., weight and health wise. I continually think, Hey! I'm a runner dammit! I can eat whatever I want because Hey! I'm runner dammit! and now I'm about to top the scales at 160 so, now, NOW something's gotta give. Yeah, it's just a number, and, It's how I feel, and, It's how I look, and, It's how my clothes fit, and, [insert platitude here] and . . . I'm sure that's what a lot of people have told themselves on the way to 200 and beyond. So I've reached a point where, gasp! I'm considering a diet/no bullshit self-assessment/habit change. I generally eat well, but have terrible snacky habits and drink an astonishing amount of Coke. I eat late at night. I eat way too many carbs. I'm ready to start to think about changing this. I've started researching some options. I should have some kind of plan together soon. I'm ready to take stock. Change is a'coming.
Yay! for plans. Big news! I am taking 6 weeks (6 weeks!) off from work starting May 9. I need to reset my slightly burnt-out brain (after 10+ years in Emergency Medicine, I am just starting to feel a little bit frayed), and am hoping this will do the trick. Tom has to go to Switzerland on business, and I'm tagging along with him. 5 days in Friborg (mostly alone for me, as Tom will be working lots of long hours), then we are heading to . . . Greece for 10 days. I'm thinking a day or two in Athens, and then The. Greek. Islands. Oyes. We are planning on spending time on two islands, I just haven't quite figured out yet which two. Any suggestions? After which, we'll return home and I'll have another 3 weeks to chill out some more. I'm planning on running a lot, and sleeping a lot. Not much more.
May 9 can't come fast enough.
Yay! for Crossfit. I started this high-intensity strengthening program 3 weeks ago, and it. kicks. my. ass. Due to my wacky schedule, and the fact that this shit is pricey! I have only gone 2 times a week. So far, this is plenty. Some classes I can get through relatively easily, meaning that whilst I am inevitably the slowest person in the class and have to have a number of exercises modified to make up for my complete lack of upper body strength, I can, in fact, complete it and go on with my day. There's been two classes so far (emphasizing upper body strength, natch) that have floored me, leaving me weak as a kitten, trembling and ready for a nap. In one hour. Very powerful stuff! I'm totally into it, and am learning to lift weights and do all these other exercises that will strengthen my core and upper body (as well as lower body, which is pretty strong already). I really like the variety and the intensity. This is NOT for the faint of heart, and I'm really enjoying the challenge. Even though, like I said, I suck hugely at this (no surprise) and am the only weak, jiggly middle-aged woman in the class. But they all had to start somewhere, and I can only get stronger and improve. I'm ready. What HAS been a surprise, though, is that since I started attending I HAVE GAINED 8 POUNDS. Now, I assume that this is muscle or whatever, as I don't feel any heavier, and muscle weighs more than fat and yadda yadda yadda this I know because I actually weigh more (like, 10 pounds more) since I've really been running a lot (say, the past 2 years) even though I am thinner and clothes fit better, etc., etc., etc., but holy shit! I weighed myself this morning and (Tom, don't read this!) ZOMG!!! I weigh 158 pounds. This is a huge number for many reasons, not the least of which is ZOMG!!! 158 POUNDS! (I'm 5'7", medium frame), I've never NEVER weighed so much in my life! and, WOW! That's just, big (for me!). The other big reason this is a huge number is (and this is totally tongue in cheek, well, 90% tongue in cheek, you know) TOM weighs 158 pounds, most of the time, and I long ago decided that I. Will. NOT. weigh more than my partner, no way no how. Been there, done that, and I coulda squished him (AND I weighed like 140 at the time, so he was just a skinny little fuck). (OK so Tom just went in to the bathroom and with clothes keys and shoes on he's bringing down 162. But I weighed myself naked this morning, so.) We have always had a running joke that once I outweigh him, that's IT and we're done, 7.5 years together notwithstanding. We have reached that point and oh!
Boo! for 158 pounds. Now, obviously, I'm joking in the preceding paragraph. He won't leave because I outweigh him (will you, honey?), no no no. BUT! Some kind of rubicon has been crossed and I need to get my shit together., weight and health wise. I continually think, Hey! I'm a runner dammit! I can eat whatever I want because Hey! I'm runner dammit! and now I'm about to top the scales at 160 so, now, NOW something's gotta give. Yeah, it's just a number, and, It's how I feel, and, It's how I look, and, It's how my clothes fit, and, [insert platitude here] and . . . I'm sure that's what a lot of people have told themselves on the way to 200 and beyond. So I've reached a point where, gasp! I'm considering a diet/no bullshit self-assessment/habit change. I generally eat well, but have terrible snacky habits and drink an astonishing amount of Coke. I eat late at night. I eat way too many carbs. I'm ready to start to think about changing this. I've started researching some options. I should have some kind of plan together soon. I'm ready to take stock. Change is a'coming.
Yay! for plans. Big news! I am taking 6 weeks (6 weeks!) off from work starting May 9. I need to reset my slightly burnt-out brain (after 10+ years in Emergency Medicine, I am just starting to feel a little bit frayed), and am hoping this will do the trick. Tom has to go to Switzerland on business, and I'm tagging along with him. 5 days in Friborg (mostly alone for me, as Tom will be working lots of long hours), then we are heading to . . . Greece for 10 days. I'm thinking a day or two in Athens, and then The. Greek. Islands. Oyes. We are planning on spending time on two islands, I just haven't quite figured out yet which two. Any suggestions? After which, we'll return home and I'll have another 3 weeks to chill out some more. I'm planning on running a lot, and sleeping a lot. Not much more.
May 9 can't come fast enough.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
What Garmin tells me
In the past 30 days, I've run 12 times for a total of 60 miles. Average pace around 12:00. 3 days a week. Definitely getting on track after the minimal running in the preceding months. I'm getting used to paying attention to my pace now, and -- wonder of wonders -- I am just beginning to watch my pace fall a bit. So I *just now* looked back at some random runs from last month, and the month before, and the year before and -- I am surprised, but Gary don't lie -- my pace is pretty much the same. A bit more consistent from run to run, but pretty much the same. I'm surprised because it feels different, I think maybe I'm getting . . . not faster but stronger? (dunno how I can say that directly after my last post, but whatever). The past two times I've been in Marin, I've done the un-doable . . . I've actually ran, instead of just hauling my running bag back and forth like I have done the past, oh, year.
I am getting there.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Long Run FAIL
Ech, went out for my 10 mile, 11:50 pace run today and failed on all fronts. Well, I did manage to get out there, but that's where the success ends. 10 miles? More like 6 something. 11:50 pace? Well over 13:00. Nice circular loop and come home with head held high? Naw, sheepishly call for a ride home. I'd have my head hung low but when it comes down to it, I don't usually fail quite so stunningly so I see this one as a gimme.
I dunno what happened. I started out with lotsa sleep, a happy stomach, beautiful weather (it must have been 60 out there, lots of melting happening!), the right clothes, all the time in the world . . . and I never got anywhere with it. Just never had the mojo. Never got the "high". I got super bored. I stopped like every three minutes, not for any reason, just to stop. Look around. Put my hands in the snow (it was hot out!). Decide which turn to take next. Start running again. Till I stop. Again. Eventually, I didn't get going again, and walked. A bit more, then what the fuck am I doing out here? and I called, oh yes I called Tom for a ride home. If every run were like this one, I would not be a runner!
Happily, this run is now behind me.
I dunno what happened. I started out with lotsa sleep, a happy stomach, beautiful weather (it must have been 60 out there, lots of melting happening!), the right clothes, all the time in the world . . . and I never got anywhere with it. Just never had the mojo. Never got the "high". I got super bored. I stopped like every three minutes, not for any reason, just to stop. Look around. Put my hands in the snow (it was hot out!). Decide which turn to take next. Start running again. Till I stop. Again. Eventually, I didn't get going again, and walked. A bit more, then what the fuck am I doing out here? and I called, oh yes I called Tom for a ride home. If every run were like this one, I would not be a runner!
Happily, this run is now behind me.
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