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

Your friendly PSA...

As a runner, I am pretty conscientious about following the rules of the road.  Safety is always a big concern.  I stick to sidewalks as long as they are available.  I wear bright colors if I'll be running on the road.  I watch before crossing.  I only wish drivers paid half as much attention to following the rules of the road.

So here's your friendly public service announcement this week...drivers, when you come to a red light or even just a stop sign, stop where indicated.  No, the crosswalk wasn't put there to get you closer to the intersection, it's actually for pedestrians...or runners like me trying to use sidewalks to stay out of your way.  Tonight I had to battle and swerve around at least three cars that decided to stop on the crosswalk.  It was a close call with one crazy driver who obviously didn't see the runner crossing, appropriately in the crosswalk, and nearly drove into me.

Law breaking drivers aside, I enjoyed the chilly dusk run.  No lunch time today, so I hit the pavement after work.  It was quiet, the legs were moving and, aside from a few drivers, no obstacles to a good run.  Top off the fact that all my muscle groups have decided to work together again, who can be in a bad mood finishing up a run in the shadow of the Capitol Dome lit up against the night sky. 

In all, February didn't turn out to be a fantastic mileage month, but looking back at last year's log it was a lower month then too.  Maybe I can turn February 2014 into a Feburary where I hit my mileage.  Until then, I'll just plan on more miles (and hopefully getting back into my speed groove) in March.  I can do it.  Lots of opportunities.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.66
Time:   50:43 (average pace of 8:57 per mile)
Feeling:  the blister on my left big toe from the 1/2 marathon rubs a bit after a few miles, but the hamstring is finally stretching out a bit

Jingle all the way...

US Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holidays

NOTE:  There were no live jingle bells engaged in this evenings activities...that will wait for closer to Christmas.

There is something special about that first evening run after the Christmas lights begin to deck the halls - or the outside facades - of the homes and building around Capitol Hill.  It's fun, festive and provides new interest while circling the streets in my mad pursuit for miles and fitness. 

Tonight was that night.  First of all, I had to run tonight.  Just absolutely had to.  It's a super busy week, which means my runs because that much more important to break up the stress.  Today I didn't get a lunch break, so by 3pm I was emailing my husband saying I was going to go insane if I didn't run after work...would he be okay with the diva.  Check.  Not sure what I would have done if the answer had been no.

After I finally broke the chains from my desk, I headed out across the East front of the Capitol.  It was cold and I was stiff, so it was a slow start (and end if I'm honest).  Since it was dark and (a) we've established I'm clumsy after dark and (b) you don't want to head into the darker neighborhoods...just in case...I decided to stick very close to the Capitol and engage in circles.  Really more like a figure eight.  I'm glad I did.  My first circle took me around to the West front of the Capitol building and the lovely view of the Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holiday.  It's strange, I've been in DC for more than a dozen year but never visited the Botanical Gardens.  The lights make me want to go, and I bet the diva would love it.

My second loop came back across the East front and then headed down Independence Avenue toward 3rd Street SE, up East Capitol toward Lincoln Park, back down East Capitol and across the front of the Capitol building back to where my car was snuggly parked behind the Russell Building.  Thank you to the festive residents along East Capitol.  I love your style and spirit and hope more will join you.  While none of you sported the grotesque displays of blow up figures or plastic Christmas lawn ornaments (thank you and thank you), your lights provided a delightful tour of an otherwise too familiar route at this point.

I never quite warmed up enough to greally get moving on this run.  That's okay, it was about stress rather than speed or other training accomplishments.  It was also fun to see the first of the holiday decorations and I can't wait to see more.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.35
Time:   32:38 (average pace of 9:44 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill
Feeling:  holiday cheery

Recovering in the dark...

Running in the dark?  Isn't that against my rules?  Well, yeah, but it was the best I could come up with for a busy Friday.  Actually, it was still dusk when I hit the streets, so technically it became full dark after I started...and I was wearing the vizipro so folks could clearly see me coming from several miles away. 

Now that doesn't save me from my own two clumsy feet on uneven sidewalks, so I hit the most crooked, pocked sidewalks on the front end of the run when there was still a smidgen of light in the sky.  I made certain, knowing my own ability to trip over my rather large feet, that I was cruising down Pennsylvania Avenue and the Capitol complex when the last of the light disappeared.

It was a good, longish run.  Still sorting out the stiffness from Wednesday.  I'm really convinced that is from lack of use and I just need to put more miles on my legs.  Sound logic right?  Ha, anyway, as I'm getting closer and closer to putting to bed my resolution for the year (not that I will stop running once I hit it of course), I started thinking about what targets to set for next year.  Six miles gives you plenty of time to think about things like this.  I've got a few ideas stewing, but feel free to provide advice.

All good things must come to an end, of course, and so after crossing the East front of the Capitol all lights ablaze (a very awesome image if you haven't seen it in person), I headed back toward the car, and, low and behold ran into one of my Capitol Hill favorites!  After catching up on his personal life, the inner workings of Capitol Hill and exchanging sundry pleasantries, I finished up my last half-mile and packed it in for the day....gotta save something for my run tomorrow with Brie and Bryson.

Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.02
Time:   55:32 (average pace of 9:13 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  easy going, but still a little stiff

 

Rules violations...

Tonight I ran the Fleet Feet Annapolis Pumpkin Fun Run.  Thank you Fleet Feet, it was a great event!  Sadly, I did not find one of the three pumpkins hidden on the path that meant fame, glory and treasure (okay...maybe not fame and glory, but you did get a prize if you found one), but I did find some commaraderie for a dark, misty run through the streets of Annapolis.  Unfortunately, the fun doesn't completely make up for the rules violations that occured during this run.

First and foremost, I again broke my own rule to not run after dark.  Granted, I was clothed in my Saucony vizipro top that only a blind person would not be able to see, so I had that covered.  But if you know Annapolis, you know how treacherous night running is for the clumsy folk (aka me).  Uneven brick pavement and no light to see where it's uneven - let's be honest - sucks.  It would be super easy to end up seriously injured and out of commission.  So why did I do it?  Well, it sounded fun and I was originally going to be running it with my co-race director for the Anniversary Run 15K.

My rules violation, however, pales in comparison to the woman who was dressed almost entirely in black (with a muted splash of color added by her tulle tutu) and running in the road rather than on the sidewalk.  Under no circumstances - racing on a monitored/closed course or during a halloween fun run - is it ever okay to run after dark in dark clothing without a reflective belt at the very least.  On the success to fail scale, this lady gets a MAJOR FAIL for runner safety.  She's also one of the legitimate complaints from non-runner drivers.  Please lady, next time don't give Annapolitans a legitimate reason to complain about our great running community.

Rules violations - and potential for injury aside - I liked the event.  It was a slow easy pace and the dark, for some reason or another, causes one to feel as if they have not run nearly as far as the Garmin shows in the end.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.15
Time:   30:14 (average pace of 9:35 per mile)
Location:  Eastport through downtown Annapolis
Feeling:  No real strong pain in the shin, all in all not bad

Short and sweet...

Short and sweet is not how I would describe tonight's run.  More like short and SWEATY.  I waited until well after dark so the temperature would drop a bit and the heat advisory would expire.   Okay, let's be honest, I was waiting for after dark because I needed it to coole down and then I decided to wait some more after I ate my second ice cream cone of the day.  Let's just say waiting until after dark cannot possibly have helped me in the temperature department.  In fact, writing this post just two hours after the run at 11:25pm, it is still more than 87 degrees outside.  It was so hot and humid when I ran  that my Garmin was fogged up the whole time.  Thank goodness this weather is just an anomaly or I may be forced to do one of two things - (a) run on the dreadmill all summer or (b) learn to get up and run at 3am.  Yeah, neither of those is happening, my friends.

So as I'm trudging along, cutting the air with a knife, and trying to find some air that wasn't too thick to choke into my lungs I had a couple interesting things happen.  First, I had a fox streak across the road in front of me.  That is the second fox that has appeared during one of my runs this year.  (S)he was very pretty...almost a strawberry blonde.  Okay, there's a slim possibility (s)he could also have been a cat, but I'm calling it a fox and sticking to it. 

Second, I thought good driving etiquette is to turm off your brights when approaching another car, am I right?  Now I know I'm not the equivalent of a car (at least I hope not) but I know that car saw me, then turned his brights on blinding me and never turned them back off.  So rude.  I'm certain I was seeing stars the next half mile.

So aside from a foggy Garmin, no breathable air, streaked by a fox and blinded by a rude driver, tonight was great.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.07
Time:   17:36 (average pace of 8:30 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head and Revell Downs
Feeling:   Like I was trying to breath heavy metals into my lungs....holy humidity and heat

Rebel runner...

Today I broke my own rules - multiple, as in more than one...actually more than two.  I've developed the rules to respond to my own deficiencies, not out of some moral obligation to be a disciplined athlete (because, let's be honest, I run for myself and enjoyment not because I'm any good).  Today I ran in high temperatures in the middle of the day, I ran after dark and I literally ate and ran.  At least two of those seem to be contradictory...yep, I also did two runs today, which I also try not to do because the second is always tight in the legs.  Why would I do all this, and in a single day?  Being within arms reach of a goal has a way of making a person do crazy things.

I am so hell bent on getting to 500 before I leave for Newport that I will hush that cautious voice in my head that tells me I'm not being smart.  I'll brave sweating buckets (oh yeah, I know that one was less than intelligent because I did not pass a single other jogger, and I've never not passed another jogger in DC).  I'll brave a rebelling stomach (there's a reason they say don't eat and then do something active right away...it sucks if you can't get blood moving to the critical muscles because it's distracting with digestion).  I'll brave injury (if you've read my blog in the past you know I don't run at night because I can't see - and often turn my ankle - rather than because of the dangers lurking down dark alleys).  I'll brave the tight muscles of the second run because it means I can add more miles to the tally.  Yee haw.

All that said, I did have to add an extra leap over the mouse that ran out of the weeds at me and then endure multiple head on collisions with the unsuspecting lightning bugs.  Poor lightning bugs.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.09
Time:   54:44 (average paces of 9:08 per mile on the first run and 8:50 on the second)
Locations:  Capitol Hill/Lincoln Park, Broadneck Peninsula/Bayhead Road
Feeling:  my body was heavy and hot, not cycling through well enough

Attack of the killer...Mallard?...

I started today with a lot of different intentions, but I have to say the way it ended up (which wasn't in the plans) was so much better. First I was going to run during my lunch break today, but let's be honest, what lunch break? Then I was going to run through downtown Annapolis before a meeting this evening, but well, I needed to walk Duncan first. Then I was going to run through downtown Annapolis after my meeting, except I parked my car on the Yard (that would be the Naval Academy campus for the non-Annapolitans out there) and I was carrying a cookbook...don't ask. So, after my meeting I had a little pep talk with myself since I was waivering from running at all now that none of the plans seemed to work out. I convinced myself, even though the sun had set at this point (and you know my policy on night running...I'm a danger to myself) I would run the sidewalks and roads along the sea wall on the Yard.

Since I was parked in front of Halsey Field House, I took off toward the sea wall and was momentarily stunned by the mega yacht anchored off the end of Ego Alley, then I remembered I had ordered a pick up in style :) Okay, perhaps I'm hallucinating now but I did indulge in several minutes of pretending I owned the monster that I believe actually belongs to the owner of the Ravens (he anchors down in Annapolis part of the year). A few moments of indulgence was enough before I settled into enjoying the glassy surface of the Severn River lapping up against the sea wall.

If you've run the Yard, you know the typical sea wall route...bending in sight of Ego Alley, back behind Rip Miller field, down around the Santee boat basin, passed the Glen Warner soccer facility and so on. The one typical part of the jog I really don't like is the wooden footbridge that connects main campus with Hospital Point. I dread crossing it in the light of day, let alone the dead of night, but I sucked it up and cruised on across hoping all the boards would hold (I heard the Severn River is still pretty darn cold). Low and behold, it seems to hold together for me, so here's where my policy of no night running often comes in handy. If you are clumsy, you should not invite dangerous situations, like running the gravel path of the sea wall on Hospital Point at night with no guard railing and almost no lighting. There are two sides to this coin - the near pitch black really allows me to settle into the run and just enjoy the feeling, alternately, I am nearly shocked into the river by the mallard that decided to pop onto the path right in front of me in the pitch black. Yes, he had absolutely no fear of the runner pounding away along the path, and he had friends. Not one, but several. Ultimately I survived the ducks, but geez I jumped so high and far I nearly did go for that swim.

The rest of my run wasn't quite so dramatic. After curving along by the columbarium and back across the proper concrete bridge (as opposed to the wooden bridge), I reversed my path. What better way to get another look at my future yacht? All in all, I had a super pleasant jaunt and may eschew my night running policy again to take in the quiet solitude I had this evening. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 4.53
Time: 38:46 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: US Naval Academy, aka the Yard
Feeling: Settled into my stride and loving life

Hitting 20%...

Tonight after work I had every intention of taking it easy and doing a relatively short 2-3 mile jog. After all, I'm breaking in new shoes (more on this later). However, I just couldn't resist the pull of hitting the 20% mark on my way to logging 1000 miles this year. I said to myself "what's a little bit further when I can pass that milestone today instead of tomorrow?" Well, we'll see what the difference may be.

You may recall a couple weeks ago I was complaining about back pain again. Given my SI joint injury, just a year and a half ago, I was concerned I may have reinjured the joint. That would be disastrous! I'm just now on a really good stretch with no injury and it would really set me back. After several days of running on the new shoes I had, with new inserts, it dawned on me that the pain may have been caused by going too hard too fast in new shoes without properly breaking them in first. I asked my doctor for a referral back to the physical therapist just to be sure, but also switched back to my old shoes for a while. That did the trick. A few days in the old shoes and the pain was completely gone.

So let's fast forward back to today. Today was my first day back in the new New Balance. Granted, I did decide to break in one part at a time, so the new inserts came out and my old inserts went in. At least for a week'ish. Then I may put the new inserts in my old shoes and do the same with those before putting all the new stuff back together. Because the last bout with the shoes caused me such horrible back pain, I figured I would go slow and short. Ha, like I said earlier, I threw that one out the window. So far it doesn't feel too bad, but I guess I'll see if I pay for it tomorrow. When will I learn? Oh well, happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.61
Time: 41:05 (average pace of 8:54 per mile...at least I slowed down a bit)
Location: Lincoln Park and Capitol Hill (need to shake this up)
Feeling: Happy to cross the 20% threshold

Sunglasses at night...

I like to run in style. Okay, let's be honest, I like to run for my own comfort. Last summer I was getting bombed in the eyeballs by tons of bugs, so I switched from wearing a visor, to keep the sun out of my eyes, to wearing sport sunglasses. Guess what? No more bugs. And because I don't like dark glasses, mine are red-tinted so I can wear them in all states of sun. Sometimes I forget I've got them on, like tonight, or this evening rather. I headed out of the office about 6:45pm to get in a few miles. It was still pretty light outside (much gracias to daylight savings) and so I was wearing my trusty shades to blocks those pesky bugs. It was about two miles later that I noticed I was having difficulties seeing...oh yeah, dusk was falling rapidly and I still had my bug shields securely in front of my eyes. Well, had to move them out of the way to finish up.

So, sunglasses securely acting as a headband, I launched into the dog convention at Lincoln Park. It was actually a great scene. Because (according to the Citibank thermometer) it was still 82 out, not only was every dog owner in the greater Lincoln Park vicinity out, but lots of families were at the playground and there were even a small handful of picnics going on. If I didn't still have a couple miles to go, I probably would have gate crashed one. My better sense prevailed and I headed back toward Capitol Hill cruising past all the friendly faces. Tonight was one of those nights you just don't waste indoors, and so I was not surprised to pass many of my co-workers who live near work just strolling the sidewalks.

All in all, it was a pretty darn good day (did I mention I also met George Clooney?) Happy trails!






Stats -
Miles: 5.11
Time: 45:07 (average pace of 8:49 per mile)
Location: Lincoln Park and Capitol Hill
Feeling: Totally into the weather and the run

Working through it...

Warning - this post lacks my usual wit and somewhat interesting storytelling...My run tonight was about as inspired as Ron Paul's supporters knowing he wouldn't win a single one of the states in Super Tuesday. But it needed to be done. I've taken the past couple of days off because my back is bothering me. Luckily, this pain is not associated with my back injury, so I can only assume I've slept in a bad position the past few nights. But it really hurts...

Anyway, after giving in to the pain the past couple days, I pushed myself out the door after a long day at work to put in a few miles. I figured 2-3 miles would be good considering the level of pain I was in. Honestly, though, running was the first time it has not hurt since Saturday, so I pushed out 4 miles. I was also overdressed, so it was a good sweaty, cleansing run. I don't know about you, but running clears my head to think about the tough questions, and I've got more than one of those that needs answering now. Hopefully hitting the sidewalks today - and surviving - will pave the way for an even stronger, longer run tomorrow. Until then, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 4.04
Time: 33:41 (average pace of 8:20 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill and Lincoln Park (need to change my direction of choice while in DC)
Feeling: Better than standing or sitting, or well, anything really.

Ouchy...

It's been a few days since my last run...thanks to that cranky hamstring and a heck of a lot going on at work. (super excited I got to use the words "recalcitrant" and "scorn" in the same letter about Iran today) In fact, its been super crazy, so not a really bad time to need a few days off for recovery in the legs. That said, the weather has been so fantastic, I've been dying to tie on the shoes and I wanted to start playing catch up in the miles I missed during February. Today finally gave me my window of opportunity, so I hit the road for an easy paced jog.

After work I took off to stretch my legs out a bit. It was kind of windy in DC tonight, so I almost wimped out and headed for the treadmill. I'm glad I didn't though. The streets were full of other runners, especially Lincoln Park where I had to battle a couple of guys running in my direction and showing no sign of moving out of the way for a lady. Then there were those few bikes that decided to basically run the runners off the sidewalks. It was a regular traffic jam...and wouldn't you know, there was absolultely no traffic on the streets.

Anyway, I finished up my run facing the Capitol Dome glowing against the dark night sky. Love it! Too bad my hamstring hurt the entire run. Ah well, maybe I'll have better luck with that tomorrow. Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.12
Time: 35:41 (average pace of 8:39 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill to Lincoln Park
Feeling: Still a bit sore in the hamstring which pushes a discomfort down into the calf to take the pressure off.

DC at night...

I love Washington DC at night. If you've never experienced, you are really missing out. Washington looks quiet and majestic by night. All the white

marble glowing against the dark sky is inspiring and cleansing. It's even better when you've got the adrenaline pumping on a fast, hard run.

That said, I violated one of my own rules - don't run outside after dark. This rule isn't about safety from the bad guys...6pm is certainly not the time of day you have to worry about the muggers who may occasionally target Supreme Court Justices, the random member of Congress or just your average Joe. No, this rule is about my own clumsiness, my own inability to effectively put left in front of right once the sun goes down and not trip. Now, DC is decently lit at night...I wouldn't go running through dark alleys. But my night vision suffers something horrible, and tonight was no different. I managed to trip over roughly three tree roots (at least) while traversing the edge of Stanton Park...and the ground was lit. Yes, I am my own worst health problem...but boy were the results worth the effort (and momentary twisted ankle) tonight...check out the pace per mile below! Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 3.14
Time: 25:35 (average pace 8:09 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill and Stanton Park
Feeling: Totally on!!!