Being brave...

...and being honest. 

Today I started a weight loss challenge.  They say it takes 9 months to gain the baby weight and it takes 9 months to lose it.  Well, the part of my brain that tells me regularly that my body isn't good enough just can't wait 9 months and I know I can do something about it...now.



Mantua Potato Stomp in 2005,
back to a healthy weight.

I've always been an athlete.  But that doesn't mean I've always been good to myself and been in top condition.  I also have a very solid body.  I always weigh far more than I look because of it.  That's a mental challenge.  Ten years ago I didn't like what I saw in the mirror anymore and I threw myself into Weight Watchers and the gym to get myself from point A to point B.  Point B was 50 pounds lighter but not necessarily super healthy.  In fact, I lost too much weight.  While the scale said 132, and that is pretty normal for a woman who is 5'5", my body fat percentage went to 8%.  Way too low.  Over the next year or so I put some weight back on and increased my overall body condition. 

Now I'm almost back to the point at which I originally decided enough was enough.  I don't want to do Weight Watchers again.  I become too obsessive and I do want to enjoy meals with my family.

My husband's solution to losing the weight is to buy a bunch of new clothes and burn the receipt.  That may be a motivator, but it won't actually help lose the weight and improve my body condition.

Here's my solution:

1. I can watch my eating (you know, stop grabbing that between meal snack, or three). 
2. I can be diligent about my strength training (I'm regular about my running but less so about the strength work that is the real fat burner). 
3. I can stop being too hard on myself when I look in the mirror (which tends to drive me to number one in this list).
4. I can use the accountability of the weight loss challenge to keep me on track.

Starting fresh...about 30
pounds to take off.

So here's where bravery comes into play.  This morning I took the dredded "before" selfie, the post-pregnant me, and I'm going to share it publicly.  This is huge for me, but I'm looking forward to returning to the Stacie above.

Now for yesterday's workouts.  Baby K and I got in a really nice power walk in the afternoon.  I'm out of routes from my house that are easy to do with a standard baby stroller, so we went to the library again and picked out some more videos for the diva.  I only get one more week of these walks with Baby K before I go back to work full-time.  I've really enjoyed spending the time with him outside.

Last night I hit the gym for a run and strength training.  I'm getting happier with the pacing on my runs.  I've still got a long way to go before I'm back to the pace I was running last summer - consistently in the low-to-mid- 7:00s - but seeing the speed pick up is helping me mentally.

This weekend I'm going for some big numbers and I could use the positive vibes.  I'm hoping by this time Sunday I will have logged 30+ miles.  It will be my first good running week in a long time.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  4.03 power walk, 3.06 run
Time:  1:02:49 (average pace of 15:35 per mile), 30:05 (average pace of 9:50 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  exhausted in the muscles, but good in spirit

Two months and counting...

How do you celebrate the arrival of spring and your baby reaching two months?  You walk and run of course.  Or at least I do.

After partaking in the growing tradition of taking photos by the month with cute stickers pasted to your baby's belly, Baby K and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful afternoon.  How?  Yeah, we power walked to the library and it couldn't have been a better day to do it.  Well maybe it could, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

It's been a long winter, so  we were excited to see the daffodils in full bloom and the tulips pushing through the soggy ground after a weekend of rain.  Our trip to the library and back, aside from enjoying the sun, was relatively un eventful.  Frankly I don't mind that.  Better uneventful than, say, getting hit by a school bus that doesn't pay attention to people in crosswalks (that almost happened to me last summer).

Tonight I hit the gym for another run and some strength training.  Remember that pledge to be stronger next time?  I'm serious...this lady is getting her guns in order and it feels good. 

Before bed the diva asked me "mama, how was your workout?"  I love being able to tell her I worked hard and it felt good.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  4.04 power walk, 3.04 run
Time:  1:04:20 (average pace of 15:55 per mile), 31:00 (average pace of 10:12 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  happy to be healthy

 

Geese and vultures...

Generally they have very little to do with running, except when that's what you see at nearly every turn along your running path.  Yup, and turkey vulture eyes completely creep me out.  Upside?  They make you run faster...at least momentarily. 

Today I wanted to stretch my legs a bit more and see what I could do.  It's been a while since I've run more than 4-5 miles.  In fact, my last 9-miler was back in November.  So I decided today I was going to take the loop that runs both sides of route 50 out near my house. 

Perhaps it was a bit much after 5.75 miles on Friday night and a barre class yesterday that totally kicked my butt (why do people pay to be tortured?), but when have I been known to shy away from something because it's a bit too much. 

 

 

I chose this route today so that I couldn't bail out when it started getting tough.  How do you get better?  You push beyond your limits until its no longer beyond your limits.  Once I cross the bridge over 50 (which by the way offers an awesome view to the Bay Bridge) there is no going back.  While it's not half way on the loop, it is sort of that mentally half way point.  Like "if I cross to the other side of 50 I'm closer if I keep going up to the next bridge."  It's not true, but it's a good mental trick. 

 

There were many points along the way that I just wanted to stop and walk (except for those darn vultures and their beady eyes I may have considered it for more than a second or two), but there were more reasons to keep pushing.  My mind, my goals, being able to tell my kids that you never give up no matter how hard - even when your legs are mush less than 1/2 mile from your home and you hit the pavement (yep, that happened) - all are reasons I pushed my body through the 7 miles.

 

No the moral to the story...7 miles may not be the smartest thing in the world after the tough arm workout I had at barre yesterday.  My right arm ended up stuck in the running position because it was too sore.  My husband had to bend it back out and then OUCH!  Let me tell you, that hurt like a you know what.  Next time?  Well I plan on being stronger next time, so that hard arm workout won't impact my run in the end.

 

That's my goal for the next year - be stronger next time.  Each next time will add up and then I'll look back on the effort at the end of the year and have something to be proud of...though vulture eyes will still be creepy.  Happy trails!!!

 

Stats -

Miles:  5.75 Friday, 7.02 Sunday

Time:  1:00:00 Friday (average pace of 10:26 minutes per mile), 1:21:35 (average pace of 11:37 per mile)

Location:  Greater Annapolis Y, Broadneck Peninsula

Feeling:  Friday all was good but by Sunday night just about every muscle in my body ached like a mother

 



Worth it...

Almost a year ago, while sitting in a seminar to become a certified running coach, the instructor asked this question: "How much time do you have to have in order for it to be worth the effort of running?" 

The answers around the class wouldn't surprise you.  Some said 30 minutes.  Some said 45 minutes or even an hour.  Some took a different tack - 3 miles, 5 miles.  You get the picture.  My response was a little different....10 minutes.

So many people find it hard to exercise because they feel that if they can't set aside that magic 45-60 minutes, then they may as well not bother.  I say bull honky.  That's the type of propoganda that causes people to shy away from making any effort at physical fitness.  Rather, we should encourage those around us to take whatever time they can find - even five or ten minutes - to invest in themselves.

Keeping that in mind, I was running short on time tonight and knew I wasn't going to get in the 3-5 miles I had originally planned for the day (we'll thank the husband for coming home late).  Part of my brain was telling me to just forget it the workout, but that part didn't win.  I snuck in a 2 mile run before heading to see a friend and felt much better for having many the effort - regardless of how modest.

I hope the lesson I can share with my kids is that it's always worth it.  Your physical well-being (or at least mine) is directly connected to emotional health.  No wonder taking a quick walk around the block can change your attitude.  I hope more people see it that way.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  2
Time:  20:06 (10:03 minutes per mile)
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  the couple days off made a real difference for my back

You're my friend...

"...because you worked hard and are sweaty and are going to be fast."  So says the diva at the dinner table tonight when I got home from the gym.  The logic of a five-year old astounds me. 

Where did this come from?  Well, honestly, from me I think.  When I come in from a run, the diva often says "eww, you're wet and sweaty."  I just keep telling her that being sweaty means I'm working hard.  At least something I said seems to be sticking now. What I hope she also is learning is that hard work pays off.

Fun anecdote aside...it was your average night in the gym.  Moderate run, followed by strength training.  I broke up the sets reading Divergent.  With the movie coming out, I feel like I need to read the book first (unrelated editorial...the Mortal Instruments series was really good, but th movie sucked HUGE). 

Tonight I tugged a muscle in my back a little awkwardly.  Luckily, this happened during my last exercise, so I cut it short by a rep in hopes that I wouldn't do more damage.  I'll just rest it a bit so that whatever happened back there will work itself out before my barre class on Saturday.  I'm really looking forward to the class and it would be a bummer if I had a tweaked back muscle keeping me from enjoying it and the benefits it will bring to my running.

Here's to hard work and running injury free.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.1
Time:  36:42 (average pace of 11:50...slower but added incline)
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  tweaked back...don't want to get injured

A lot of good...

Good weather, good attitude, good partners, good distance.

Today I tried out a new exercise partner.  Enter Baby K.  Though he's too small for the jogging stroller as yet, meaning I can't really run with him in tow, we did get in a nice power walk this afternoon.  So, nestled in to his pram, we headed in the direction of the library. 

Sun, warm temps and a quick pace quickly equated sweat.  Add to that the trees and flowers beginning to bloom and you've got a great workout.  Baby K, however, didn't seem as interested in his surroundings.  He zonked out about 15 seconds after being placed into the pram (with a brief exception when we stopped for a red light...he doesn't like to stop moving) and didn't wake up until 4+ miles later. 

I'm looking forward to more of these walks...at least, that is, until he's ready for the jogging stroller.  Then there will be no stopping us.

This evening, I headed over to the gym for some rare solo time.  With dad responsible for all the kids, there was no pressure to get it done as quickly as possible.  I got in a short run before hitting the weight machines.  I got a great laugh as I started my last set on the row machine.  Was it just coincidence that, as I was thinking about my body transformation journey, "Sexy and I Know It" piped through my earbuds?  I think not...especially as the words "I work out" fit perfectly into the rhythm I was pounding out.  Add to that, I know the perfect animal print running pants I could add to the mix (seen at the Nike Women's Half in DC last April...a big PR day for me).

And now as I sit here relaxing and thinking about what I can squeeze in tomorrow before the rain makes it impossible for Baby K to be loaded into the pram, I'm happy with what I accomplished today.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.11 (run), 4.12 power walk
Time:   32:00 (average pace of 10:17), I accidentally forgot to stop the watch after my walk, so the time was off
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula and Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  awesome

The long haul...

I have a feeling the road to my previous running self is going to be very long and riddled with numerous obstacles, but I'm in it for the long haul. 

I'm going to make a confession...my body isn't what it was before I became pregnant...shocker, I know.  That body had a few years of hard, consistent endurance training in it.  It was strong.  It had great improvements in speed and consistency.  This body, well, doesn't.

This body is slow and less muscular.  It is cumbersome and out of breath sooner.  It can't go as far.  But it will.

As long as I'm confessing, let me also lay this one on the table...I'm carrying an extra 32 pounds on my frame.  32 pounds that I wasn't carrying last May and need to shed.

None of the obstacles will keep me from clawing my way back to my old running self.  Scratch that...my better running self.  The running self that will come back leaner, faster and stronger.

I'm under no delusions that this will be easy, or that it will happen soon.  It's going to take time, commitment and the support and understanding of my family.  And while I'm on the subject, thank the good Lord for a family who knows how important this is to my physical and emotional well-being.  My family is incredibly supportive of me doing what I need to be awesome.

Why not take this journey with me?  Hold me accountable to what I want to accomplish this year.

So, how have I used the first part of March to reach for my goals?  I've managed to put in four official workouts (though I really believe I should get credit for running up and down all those stairs during the day trying to keep an infant calm). 

The gym workouts and runs are just that - gym workouts and runs.  Nothing to write home about or brag worthy.  They get the job done.  Did I mention my gym provides free childcare while working out?  Priceless for the mom on the run who needs a babysitter to squeeze in that workout.  The gym also has something the road workouts can't bring to the table...weights for strength training.

Of those four official workouts, one was back on the roads of the Broadneck Peninsula.  Friday evening I got to lay down four well-earned miles while watching the colors change across the sky as dusk fell over Annapolis.  Pretty scenery (and an out and back course) keep me motivated to finish the run when my body just wants to walk.  I can't wait to up that mileage and get back on some of my other favorite routes across the area.

I've got a lot coming down the pike in the next several months - more endurance improvement, more races and new challenges (I signed up for a barre class at my gym) - and I'm looking forward to every sweaty moment (Diva now equates sweat with working hard).  I know I'm behind in mileage, but I don't believe in backing down from a challenge.  I still believe I can do this.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.1 (3/1/14), 3.12 (3/6/14), 4.04 (3/7/14), 3.0 (3/8/14)
Time:  35:03 (3/1/14), 31:45 (3/6/14), 45:40 (3/7/14), 32:00 (3/8/14)
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y and the Broadneck Peninsula
Feeling:  earning it

So ready...

...for the end of this pregnancy.  My due date is Monday (Jan 27), but here I am, two days before, still pounding out a few miles for endurance and sanity.  I can honestly say, it's getting rough to wog these days, but soon I will be back to the streets (well probably not as soon as my mind believes if the doctors have much to say about it...a woman can dream).

In the meantime, I'm happy to still be standing and moving.  I've discovered that many people believe pregnant ladies are all on the couch with their feet kicked up at 40 weeks (I think that's actually what you are supposed to do).  Have you seen anyone try to keep me down before?  Yeah, the answer is no because the folks who even considered it had second thoughts about butting heads with this bull-headed Taurus.

Here's to hoping the next post comes post-baby and I don't really hit 41 weeks and still running.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:
Miles:  3.5 last Saturday, 3.1 today
Time:
Location: Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  large and slow

It's Groundhog Day...

I have a feeling that, over the next couple weeks, my workouts will be nothing more than "same old, same old."  Deja vu.  Groundhog Day. 

While it's certainly not an inspiring tale of superwoman trains for her latest marathon at 38 weeks pregnant, I am catching up on the "Mortal Instruments" series between reps and miles.  If you haven't read the series, its about shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves and warlocks.  Not usually workout material, but I've got to tell you, I'm becoming jealous of the speed and strength of these characters...particularly when you happen to have a little angel blood flowing through your mortal veins.

Anyway, I digress.  I'm still sweating and exercising my body, even if it is low miles, low weight and little variety.  I figure, if I can keep it up until D-day, I may be quicker to return to pavement pounding of old.  Give me another monthish, and I will be on the trail toward a return to the start line.

The gym workouts aren't nearly as meditative or cleansing as my favored 4-10 miles runs but I do still get a bit of a thrill out of the surprise people show when they find out I am still keeping at it this late in the game.  That's something to make Groundhog Day worth the effort.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:
Miles:  2.5 on Thursday, 3 on Saturday
Time:
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  the first mile is tough, but I'm feeling decent by the end

Feeling the drag...

More and more I'm feeling that downward pull that, nine months ago, I never would have considered to be a feeling I would gain an intimate knowledge of.  Tonight I was very aware of the fact that my middle section is making trips to the gym ever more difficult...yet not impossible.  That's a word I don't acknowledge.  (Here is where the voice of my former gymnastics coach, Keith, always rings in my ears..." Did you say can't?  We don't say can't here.  Give me 5 laps.") 

That said, I still managed to put in a couple miles and some strength training before I called it a night.  Let me be honest, it was not an impressive performance.  But I guess as the wind howled outside and the temperatures dropped precipitously, I could have taken the easy way out and just gone home to sit in front of a roaring fire rather than build up a little sweat.

On another note, the strange looks I receive from fellow gym goers as it becomes harder to keep my belly entirely concealed by my running shirts seem to be growing.  I've wondered this several times over the course of the last many months - doctors recommend that pregnant ladies maintain a level of fitness.  It's good for the lady, and its good for the baby.  So why, oh why, do the gyms seems devoid of pregnant ladies?   Where are the pregnant ladies working out?  I haven't seen them running on the road either...

Maybe the ladies are walking briskly through the park.  Perhaps this cold weather will break long enough that I can take my weekend workouts to Quiet Waters this weekend to see if I can find them there.  In the meantime, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.5
Time:  Not yet buddy
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  Someone call in the heavy lifting tow truck