Successful trial run for trail running

Ok, so this is super duper exciting for me ... FINALLY, I have found a way to love running!

As you know, I've struggled with this. I want to love running, I really do. However, I don't. It's boring and each morning my run just feels like 30 minutes of torture that I endure so that I can feel proud of myself for said torturous endurance the rest of the day. Sure, I feel fantastic after my runs - but I feel miserable during them. Until yesterday.

Kevin and I joined a Meet Up group that goes hiking every other week. We drove about 45 minutes out of the city to a small state park and joined 24 others in a lovely four-mile hike. We took Chester (dog) and had a blast.

About half a mile into the hike, Chester decided he needed to relieve himself. Kevin bagged it up and we left the bag planning to come back at the end of the hike so we wouldn't have to carry the stink package with us. So, after our hike and a lovely little picnic lunch, we rested and went back into the woods to retrieve Chester's doggy bag.

Feeling refreshed, we decided to run the trail. And it was AWESOME! Admittedly, it was a hard run. And I was pretty ashamed when I realized I could barely breathe after running a mere quarter of a mile, but the shame was replaced with joy as I realized how much fun I was having. First off, while running this trail, I felt very in-tune with my surroundings. I wasn't worried about anything but where to put my foot next and whether I was going to fall and roll down a hill to my death. The exhilaration I felt while gravity and my athleticism (ha, yeah right) propelled me down the steep hills was indescribable.  My blood was pumping, my lungs were burning, and my face was lit up with delight.

Basically, I loved every second of the hardest run I've ever tried and am not even disheartened by how hard it was (um, hello: wearing pants + full stomach from lunch + already hiked 4 miles that day = exhaustion and lack of energy). I said something to Kevin about the idea of trail running and he said he really enjoyed it, too.

Lucky for us, we live in an area of the country with a lot of trails to run. And we've decided to run them. I visited Active.com today and found a great article about the best trails to run across the country. That, plus my decision to register for an actual train race in the next few months has me very excited for fall and training. (I'm pretty sure this will be a race I run ... or this one ... or both!).

Yes, there is a lot of training ahead of me - and sadly during the week very little of it will get to be on trails - but I'm excited for weekend runs. That's right. I'm excited. About running. How awesome is that?

Friendly Reminder

Me and Kevin pre-5k Sept. 2010

I got to talking with some of the interns at work yesterday and introduced one to 50n50. She was shocked when I told her how much I used to weigh. I needed it hear it. I'm sorry to say it, but I needed the reminder of how far I've come in the past two years - how hard I worked and how much success I found. I needed to be reminded that the sacrifices involved are worth it.

Lately, I've been battling issues in my head because I still think like a fat girl. I still look in the mirror and find a million flaws in my body.

"You do?" She said to me, shocked. Yes, I do!

Basically, it comes down to this: I always assumed 150 pounds was a lot smaller than it is. I thought my legs would no longer rub together when I ran and that I'd look amazing in a bathing suit. But here I am, buying Body Glide to prevent chafing and refusing to even try on a swim suit until my thighs get under control.

If you follow me on Twitter (@50n50), then you know that I started the Couch to 5k (C25k) training program yesterday morning. It's the program I used last fall to get into shape for my first 5k and it worked really well. I mean, I actually ran a continuous 3 miles so that's a win, right? After the Race for the Cure, I trained a couple more weeks with the idea of running a 10k, but I didn't get very far. And since then? Nothing.

And that's where I screwed up. I stopped being active ... So, I'm starting over.

Now, don't go thinking I've suddenly found a piece of me that loves running - because I haven't. But the Couch to 5k program take about 30 mins a day only three times a week and I've decided I can handle doing something I don't really like for a mere 90 minutes a week. I've also been adding in some strength training for 15 minutes on my off days, courtesy of Women's Health.

For yesterday's run, I decided to change how I approach C25K. Usually, I jog it - pacing myself to make sure I have energy for the finish. But a couple of weeks ago, while jogging with Kevin I asked him to look at my form. We decided I run like a fat girl (my words, not his!).  I take shorts, clomping steps and roll my hips. I look like I'm lumbering down the road. He suggested I lengthen my stride and run like I'm free, not like I'm carrying the weight of the world.

So, that's how I ran yesterday. No jogging - all running. And I felt free for the first time in a while!!! (Well, until I felt like I was going to die, but that's why I started the program at the beginning).

Plus, I found a piece of me that loves the feeling I get after I run - the feeling of accomplishment, control, and yes, energy. Because of my morning run, I spent yesterday in a great mood.

I spent yesterday being reminded of all that I have done and all that I can do. And I needed that friendly reminder.

Still making adjustments

1200 calories a day just isn't cutting it.

I didn't think it would be that big of a deal - but it totally is. I just can't seem to get full. Sigh. By the end of the day, I just want to eat and eat and eat. While it could be PMS, I'm pretty sure I'm just hungry.

I lowered my calorie intake because my activity level is considerably less nowadays. You know, since I'm not walking 30+ miles a week anymore. The training regimen for Couch to 5k doesn't even have me burning 200 calories ye (the equivalent of walking 2.25 miles).

It looks, however, like I should increase my calories back to 1300 a day and augment the training to include more walking and calorie-burning activities besides the runs. 

A girl's gotta eat, right?

Today's Weigh In

Ever notice that the contestants don't take their shirts off for the final few weigh-in on Biggest Loser? My thoughts are that they have a lot of loose skin from losing weight so fast! I lost 3.4 pounds this week - which is more than I am comfortable losing on a consistent basis.

In this case, however, I think I've been holding in A LOT of water weight over the past month or so. Luckily, it seems my body is getting used to me drinking 80+ ounces a day (yesterday alone I consumed 90 or so).

I am in the final 9 weeks of this plan (though I know I'll keep blogging!) and have 11.4 pounds left to lose. Last week I had 15 pounds to lose and it averaged to 1.5 a week. I'm going to continue aiming for a pound and a half - especially since a big loss one week is usually countered with little loss, if any, the next week.

But I will say, this was a VERY active week!

Last Wednesday saw me mowing my front lawn - and burning 250 calories in the process. Then Thursday I walked 5 miles at an average pace of 4 mph (I usually walk long walks at 3 mph so it was a cardio workout for more than an hour!). Friday also found me mowing - my back yard this time and on Saturday I did A LOT of lifting and such for the garage sale. Sunday morning work me up bright an early for a 17-mile walk around town (took 7 hours with bathrooms stops and buying Gatorades at a couple of gas stations). I took a rest on Monday then walked 5 miles last night.

I feel like I'm balancing my calories accordingly - on my 17-mile walk Sunday I literally consumed 500 calories while walking! Sure, I burned more than 1500, but I didn't exactly skimp on my foods that day. Overall I consumed 1850 calories that day so maybe I can let myself have a smidge more next time ...

I'm pretty excited to see the 150s, by the way. There is no memory in my head of me weighing these numbers and it feels AMAZING!!!

Also, big congrats to Ben - he's officially lost 5 pounds!!!

Changing it up worked

Well, yesterday was Weigh Day and I sadly reported no weight loss. I was a bit shocked, to be honest, considering the fact that I walked more than 30 miles last week.

But I my explanation came last night - and I'll leave it at that.

Things are settling down in my world. Rearranging my schedule, based on priorities, has really made a difference!

Now, my schedule is as follows:

6:30 - Wake up, eat breakfast, study
8:30 - Leave for classes
9:40 to 12:45 - In classes
12:50 - Leave for internship, eat lunch in car
2:00 - Arrive at work
5:00 - Leave work
5:30 - Arrive home, change into workout clothes
5:45 - ? Work out
Dinner, study after dinner

I don't feel nearly so rushed with this new schedule - and not nearly so exhausted by 5:30. It's wonderful :-) Plus, with the new semester starting in two weeks, work and school switch places and everything else remains the same.

I'm still busy - weekends are practically non-existent for me now since my training walks take at least 4 hours each and I'm working to raise money for the 3-Day.

Also, I am adding some new stuff to my workout regimen - and seeing many changes in my shape!

Check out my latest sale purchase!

A la Abby, I sit on the balance ball while reading and find myself wiggling a lot to stay settled. I hear this works on your core.

Plus, my attitude is changing. Having walked long distances several times, I feel a confidence growing in my body. Dare I say, I almost feel fit!

One bite at a time

I did it! I got everything done that was on the priority list today (except I just remembered I forgot to buy stamps - oops). Lesson learned: Take things slowly, one at a time, and prioritize them and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. I even got that 5-mile training walk done this evening!!!

Kevin joined me for the 5-mile walk after dinner and having done it makes me feel so good. I even got whistled at once. The whistler said to Kevin, "Nice girl." I smiled a big grin and hollered "Thank you!" over my shoulder.

Anyway, we left for the walk about an hour and half after dinner. Dinner, ladies, was whole wheat pasta, alfredo sauce and shrimp. I figure that many carbs for dinner is acceptable if you are working out later. Usually, however, I avoid a carby dinner because the carbs get wasted while you sleep. But many articles suggest a serving of complex carbs with every meal ...

My 5-mile walks take me to a lovely park that reminds me of a small version of Central Park. One of these days - I'll take some photographs of it. It's a popular location for engagement shots. Once we got to the park, Kevin and Chester left me and ran the track - (2 laps = 2.75 miles) while I hoofed it around the park once. Then, we met up and finished the rest of the walk.

Call it a coincidence, fate, karma, dumb luck, or my own conniving, but the 5-mile trek just so happened to take us by the McDonald's less than a quarter-mile from my house. So of course, having just walked 5 miles, we stopped and bought ice cream!

I still had the calories to spare from my day anyway, but that was some good, guilt-free ice cream!!! Plus, they say milk is great for post-workout recovery :-D

More than I can chew?

I missed my workout this morning - mainly because something just had to give. It looks like I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

My Competing Priorities:
School
Internship
3-Day training
50n50
Boyfriend
Animals
Grown-up responsibilities (bills, car maintenance, house maintenance, etc.)
Social Interactions

I'm having a really hard time maintaining my energy every day. I spent months juggling and fitting everything on that list into my life. But it's not going well.

Last night I made the mistake of spending the evening out on the town (Sex and the City 2!!!) - my first real social interaction (besides Kevin) in weeks. I was practically catatonic by the time I got home - and I still had reading to do and things to pack and ready for today.

When the alarm went off this morning, I hit snooze 3 times! I usually only hit it once. I needed to race to the gym to fit 5 miles in, read for my first class, make breakfast and had to make a choice. But instead of hoping up and getting the day started - I laid in bed, struggling to find conscious thought. Eventually, I chose school over my training. I made breakfast, sat at my bar and read for my classes today.

I feel guilty - I was supposed to walk 5 miles this morning - but I know I made the right choice. Class was better and easier to follow because I was prepared and now I feel fine about taking on the work I have for this afternoon. Then, once I get off work, I'm hoping to at least squeeze 3 miles in around the neighborhood (If I can convince Kevin to go with me, it will cover two of my priorities!).

It took a short stroll between classes this morning, but I feel a bit better about things. I was just feeling momentarily overwhelmed. Sometimes, our priorities fight for our attention and, as much as we try, we can't make it all fit. Today is just one of those days.

Guilt free

Today was probably one of the best of my life - definitely top ten!

Not only did I walk 11.5 miles this morning (only a mile and a half short of a half-marathon), but I followed it up with a short game of golf and am now blogging on my porch while dinner cooks on the grill.

I ate a peanut butter sandwich before my walk and Kevin had brunch ready by the time I returned. He called to check on me while I was starting my final mile and asked what I wanted for breakfast. The answer was easy: everything. I was starving!

Walking 11.5 miles burned 1400 calories - that's more than I eat in a day! So, I was stoked when I saw that he had made me pancakes, eggs (substitute), bacon (turkey) and sliced watermelon. It was half of my usual caloric allowance, but I didn't care. I'd just walked 11.5 miles!

We rested for a couple of hours and then met a friend at the golf course. I didn't play a full round - just a few holes, but I walked some more and had a grand ol' time. When Kevin got the munchies and the beer cart came by, we split a Twix (one half is only 125 calories!). I'm not really counting calories today - considering how active the day has been for me, I think I have deserved this.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not going crazy and eating anything I want, but I am allowing myself to splurge a bit. After all, a good workout isn't the ticket to the buffet line. But it does mean you can relax a bit.

I ate a candy bar, guilt free. Now, I am drinking regular beer (as opposed to light) and waiting for cheese-stuffed chicken breasts to cook on the grill. Oh, did I mention the tortilla chips I'm crunching on? After calculating it all, I am looking at about 1600 calories - and to be honest, on the weekends I usually let myself have 1500 so it's pretty darn awesome.

The freedom of today has just been so uplifting. And in that lies the silly smile that won't leave my face. I was intimidated by the scheduled walk today for my training. I was supposed to go ten miles - longer than I'd ever knowingly walked before. When I got home and mapped out my actual course, I was pretty thrilled to see how far I'd actually gone.

Scheduling golf in the afternoon was a great way to keep my muscles from cramping or getting too sore. Plus, driving around in the gold cart, feeling the breeze all around us was amazing. I'm pretty sure God was hanging out with me on that golf course this afternoon. He blessed me with a beautiful day, a wonderful boyfriend and a chance at a new life.

No place like home

There's no place like home. Such a fitting statement since I live in Kansas!

Second Spring Break is over and I am waiting for my first class of the day to start for summer school. I got up at 6 this morning and had my usual egg whites and oatmeal. It's nice to be back in my routine!

The food choices I made last week were less than spectacular and I am paying for it. My face looks worse than many 12-year-olds' and I feel huge, bloated, and icky.

But a semester comes with changes to the routine and I'm looking forward to those this summer semester will bring. My classes are from 9:40 to 12:45 each day. That means I am back to having gym time! By getting to school between 7:30 and 8 each day I will be able to get a workout in before each day's classes. Then, I can study through the afternoon and maybe even spend some guilty-free evenings with the boyfriend.

I have a job interview this afternoon and another tomorrow afternoon. If one of them works out, however, my afternoons and evenings will quickly fill up, but the mornings will still be perfect for my 3-Day training and my gym visits.

Finding my motivation

This is a weird week for me. Things just seem to be conspiring to keep me from the gym. Silly things ... which clearly point to a lack of motivation. So, by things, I mean me. I am conspiring to keep myself from the gym. Not good, Hull!

Monday I couldn’t help that I’d left my ID at home (though Kevin later informed me that he found my ID and put it in my gym bag so I would have it). Today, however, I am letting my dead iPod postpone my visit to the treadmill.

Pathetic, right?

Honestly, I should be at the gym right now! Instead, I am writing about how I should be at the gym. Go figure. The iPod is plugged in and charging however! In 12 minutes I will unplug and head to the Rec Center.

There is just something about getting on the treadmill sans distraction that has me dragging ass. Clearly, I am also bored with the treadmill. Sounds like it’s time to change things up a bit. Now that the days are getting longer, I think it’s time to map out some routes in my neighborhood. Spring Break is next week and I won’t have access to the gym so it will be a good time to create some routes.

Here is a website a friend told me about that looks promising for this task: MapMyRun.com

Doing a quick search, I found pre-mapped routes right by my house! Literally - right past my house! Score! Do it twice and I’ve hit my 5 miles.



This one starts just two blocks from my house ... Woot!



Suddenly, I am super excited! Time to hit the gym!!!!

Training Day 1

Less than a mile into my first session on a treadmill in a couple of years and I was calling myself many names - none of which was very nice.

However, after 53 minutes and a grand total of 3.2 miles ... and an hour-long drive home, I have changed my mind.

This is going to be fun!

Questions for you active people: Can you explain why I started bloating up after about a mile and why my last vertebra hurt like crazy?

If the shoe fits ...

Ok, Ladies, tomorrow is the big day!

Training Day 1.

Yep, tomorrow I start training for the most athletic event of my life: the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!

Since August 6 will find me stretching my muscles in Chicago, prepping to walk 60 miles in three days, tomorrow will find me starting the first workout of my 24-week training.

In order to be fully prepared for training (and limit the possible medical issues I may encounter), I visited a specialty store for runners this afternoon. For the first time in YEARS, I was fitted for a new pair of training shoes. The sales woman was a VERY pregnant former cross country coach who told me all about the issues I might encounter (including chafing on my boobs ... ouch). She also taught me things I never knew about the way running shoes should fit. It truly was fascinating.

Apparently, I have been buying the wrong size all along. Traditionally, I am a size 8.5. However, this means that I should buy size 9.5 in running shoes. Reasons: feet swell and you need more wiggle room for toes in running shoes.
Most of the shoes I tried were just too loose in the heel. I felt like my feet were flopping around, but there was a certain pair that fit almost perfectly. Toe room was great, width was perfect (apparently, I am an 8.5 wide - the idea of having fat feet is depressing), but the heel was just a tad too loose.

Then I was shown a trick ... using the last eyelet hole, make a loop of the shoe string to make a hole for lacing. Lace the string through that and it will tighten the fit on the heel. Kevin, who has run 4 marathons, didn't even know this trick, so I made a slide show to share.



Perfecto!

So, new shoes in hand, gym bag packed for a week of workouts (that way I can't say I forgot my clothes and skip a day), I am ready to start this newest challenge.