Time, Patience and Persistence

Warning.  The following contains lots of talk about pacing, training and putting things in perspective.

Training has switched gears with the Boilermaker around the corner.  The amount of cross training hasn't really changed since I have one more triathlon to go this year, but my mileage and intensity have increased.  Today was a tough run.  Today's run made me remember, or maybe it's more that I longed for, the level I was at last year.  You know, when my unofficial Half Marathon pace was an 8:20.

What happens to be my around my goal pace for the Boilermaker this year.

With injury and time off, I thought a good goal would be to come in at 1:20:00, which would be around a 9 minute PR.  Now?  Now I'm not so sure.  Today's 6 at a 9:03 average pace just about did me in.  Definitely way off the mark.  Definitely not where I was last year.

Oh, wait.  Last year wasn't September (Run for Green Half) and it wasn't October (Marine Corps Marathon) of 2012, and definitely not February 2013 (Myrtle Beach Half).

Last year was 365 days ago.
Last year, on June 23, 2012, I did a 7.5 mile run at an average pace of 9:23.
Last year, on July 8, 2012, I ran the Boilermaker 15K in 01:29:45, an average pace of 9:39.
Today I ran 6 miles at 9:03.

Am I in my peak racing shape?  HA!  Definitely not.  And it's fool of me to think that I could be this soon after dancing with injuries and taking some time off.  BUT.  I am still running much better than I was 365 days ago.  This is what I need to remember.  I'm further along than where I was last year.
I'm still getting better.  It's just taking me a little longer this round which is making it a wee bit harder to see the progress.  But with time, patience and persistence, I'll find my way back.

Will I make 1:20:00?  Not probable, but also not impossible.

Anything can happen on race day.

I just need to stay in the moment and do what Jyl says....
Just keep going.

The Challenge: Week 2

So, last week I posted my results for Week 1 of the Do Life Challenge, and printed off the challenge for this past week.  It was chock full of awesome assignments about paying it forward, something that I am ALL about.  LOVE doing stuff for other people!  I was so psyched!  And then......WHAMMO.

We've had a bit of a family emergency this past week. I would rather not divulge into details, I'm sure you understand.  I will say we are all okay and hopefully on the road to brighter days and I hope you will keep sending us positive thoughts our way :-)
So, I was not able to really participate in week 2's challenge or continue my "4 things".   I can revisit a standing challenge and take a look at where I am on my 5 goals for the month:

Pushups: got it up from 15 to 20 in one set.

Goals:

Lose 5 pounds -
          January 9 - 128.8
          January 2 - 135.4

Keep daily food logs and include estimated caloric intake -
          4 days out of 7 ain't bad ;-)

Clean my house -
          I DESTROYED THE ECOSYSTEM MY SHOWER!!!!!

Organize my closets -
          see goal above....need to seek therapy before I enter the closets...

Walk my dogs at least once a week with my hubby -
          My poor Dum Dums.  I'm such a bad mom.......But we have been having quality movie time....

So that concludes my update for Week 2.  Thankfully, Week 3 starts and I have a clean slate.  I didn't do too bad on my goals though...I mean, really.  In all honesty, that shower can theoretically be the equivalent of like completing 20 challenges.....

This has got to stop...

This incessant eating.  It must end.  And what is scary is that I'm stuffing my face with whatever edible thing I can find.  It's no particular craving.  I'm not particularly hungry.  And what's even scarier?  I'm not walking or lifting weights; I'm not cycling, swimming or running (sadly).  I'm sitting on my arse in front of stupid (but I love them) television shows and LOADING MY FREAKING FACE LIKE A CHIPMUNK WITH ITS CHEEKS PUFFED OUT.

It's time to take a step back and evaluate.  I need to figure out why I'm doing this to myself.  It's not like it makes me feel good.  It makes me feel the complete opposite.  I feel like I've let myself down.  And the guilt...don't forget about the guilt.  But this I pledge to you.  I will NOT go back to that size 18 pant.  I will NOT let myself be tempted by the temporary euphoria food gives me; it's not real.  What is real is how good I felt when I was active and eating healthy; how confident I was and how I felt I could take on the world.

Tomorrow is December 1.  Tomorrow is a new day and a new month.  Tomorrow I will fight to get myself back.  This I pledge:

• food logs will resume
• workouts will resume
• lots of water will be drunk
• meals will be cooked at home
• no junk food will enter the threshold
• I will forego the Christmas cookie bake-a-thon
• I will remain honest about my progress
• I will hold myself accountable
• I will succeed.

Trim the Fat

When I was driving into work a morning or so ago, I had a revelation.

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.  Cool, crisp days.  Cinnamon donuts with apple cider.  And the changing leaves.  Oh the leaves!  As deep as fire and as bright as the sun.  The leaves just might be my favorite thing about autumn.  So why haven't I seen them this year?  Yes, I noticed they were changing, but I failed to actually SEE it.  How can that happen?

I tell you how.  I've been so wrapped up in life that I've forgotten to Do Life.  Sometimes you just need to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is you actually want....and trim the fat!  I had so much going on, I think I've lost track of what it was I really want and what I need to do to get there.

I was taking a water cardio and a water jogging class to help me get used to the water before I started to learn how to swim.  Then I started swimming lessons.  So, I've been trying to do both with limited time and limited pool access; and getting so overwhelmed that I was stressing myself out so much I wouldn't do either.  I was ashamed that I always had to tell my swimming instructor that I haven't been able to practice the drills she gave me.  So, I stepped back and looked at what I was really trying to accomplish.  I want to swim.  I won't get better if I can't invest the time or focus.  So, I made a decision. I dropped the water classes.  Hopefully this will allow me to get the practice time in I need in the limited time frame I'm allowed.  We'll see, but I already feel better.

This past week was registration for next semester's classes.  I registered for 3 classes, putting me in Charlotte at 3:30-9:15 pm on Tuesdays, 6:30-9:15 on Wednesday and 3:30-4:45 on Thursday.  Plus working, plus running/training, plus....there are a lot of pluses!  This morning I looked at the schedule.  And it's like I saw it for the first time.  And then I said...."Am I sane?  Do you realize what you're about to do to yourself?"  I logged into the registration site and said, "goodbye Tuesday/Thursday 3:30 class!"
Note:  keep your fingers crossed that it's offered again at a reasonable time slot in the future....I really wanted to take that class...

There are definitely things that suck that you need to suffer through.  But there is a lot going on in my life that may not be a necessary hell.  You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be taking a good look at what else I can trim, and not just from my waist line!

TTFN!

Time flies...

Wait...wasn't it just August?

Holy cow how time is flying.  I can't believe it is already October.  I can't  believe it's already mid-terms at school.  I can't believe it's only 50F outside and the leaves are starting to turn.  I can't believe it's almost time for our annual fall beach trip.  I can't believe Christmas is only two months away.  As each day's twenty-four hours goes by faster than the day before, it's time to take stock of what we've done before we lose track of what we've accomplished.  Get out a  pen and paper and write down the littlest of victories and the biggest of goals you've achieved in the last two months.  I'll do mine here, in no particular order:

1. I recovered from my injury and started back to the gym.
2. I paid my fall semester tuition.
3. I started my running back at a half mile and increased my mileage to 6.2 in 3 weeks.
4. I ran my first 10K at a pace faster than my last 5K.
5. I started to learn how to swim.
6. I can throw caution to the wind and wear a bathing suit in semi-public.
7. I quit smoking.  (2 months ago as of October 4)
8. I've been able to drink 80oz of water in one day.
9. I've been able to go tinkle 80 times in one day (yes, slight exaggeration, but not much of one)
10. I haven't had a piece of pizza.
11. I survived mid-terms.

I think that's about it.  Not a bad two months!  I think you'll find that you'll be pleased with your results too.  Just remember, it's not always about the big things.  You need to take pride in the little things too, 'cause boy do they add up!

Time to hit the hay.  I've got a strength workout in the morning and I'm going to REALLY TRY to do my run in the afternoon.  I have a hill workout planned, and it's way to dark to do it in the morning.  Cross your fingers for me.  There is a reason I do my workouts in the morning...once that clock strikes 5:00 p.m., it's quittin' time!

TTFN!!