October 24, 2011

time to refocus

First, thank you for all of your sweet comments last week.  Really, my journey has been what it has in large part because of your support in motivation.  I also really appreciated the fact that you didn't beat me up for being slightly disappointed in my time, and thought Carrie's description of it as the 'deal or no deal syndrome' was perfect.  I think I must have the sweetest blog readers out there :o).

With the half being over I was completely at a loss for what to do in the gym.  Well, partly because last week I knew I should be taking it easy.  My body was crying for it.  And I did, I didn't work out at all last Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday.  Monday I did the elliptical, and Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday I went with a run/walk combo.  I still probably went a little harder on the runs than I should have last week, but it is like I don't know how to function without running anymore (not to mention I sort of LOVE the calorie burn, but that is beside the point).  Funny isn't it?  I toyed with not running anymore after my 5K.  I still hated running.  Now it is all I want to do (sort of).  When we were in Georgia my dad said to my mom "When Ashley was growing up did you ever think she would be a long distance runner?"  She of course said no, and I said "Hey, in January did any of us think I'd be a long distance runner?  Absolutely not."  Life can change so quickly.

As far as running goes I would love to run another half, possibly in the spring, but I don't know.  In the last three months or so my, ahem, monthly friend, has gone a little wacky, and my only guess it is because the increase in running.  Not a huge deal, except I know at some point we are going to want a Baby J 2.0 and I don't want running to make that more difficult than it needs to be.  I think for the time being I'm setting a goal of running a 5K in 27 minutes or less.  I figure if I can run the half at a 9:13 pace, with a little speed, tempo and hill work I should be able to manage a 9 minute mile for three miles.  Right?  I plan to run at least 3 days a week, and I'm going to try and make sure my total mileage is no less than 10 miles a week.  That way the next time I do want to run a half I've definitely got a solid running base and can work on speed training then as well.

Also?  I have GOT to get back into strength training more.  Without a trainer I'm a little unmotivated to do strength workouts, and I'm still a wee bit embarrassed with trying to set stuff up and what not.  I don't know why.  I know what I'm supposed to be doing, and surely no one at the gym really cares what I'm up to, but I'm always paranoid people are judging.  Lame, I know.  On Saturdays I've been taking a class, sometimes it is great, sometimes I don't get an excellent strength workout.  But at least I do something!  My goal is to find another class that I like (that incorporates strength training) so I can attend at least two a week.

The other thing I need to do is get my nutrition back in check.  I've probably said that a couple times, but with the holidays coming up I need to find some of the will power I had during the beginning of this journey.  Running so much the last few weeks really skewed portion control and such for me.  I needed more fuel and I constantly felt hungry, not to mention I was paranoid about under-fueling and not being able to perform at my best.  I've maintained my weight loss so I'm not too worried about that, but I know I'm taking in too much sugar, and if I keep eating like I have been I will start to gain some back.  I had a little goal to lose another 5 pounds, and I'd still love to, but it isn't something I'm going to kill myself for.  Again, I know at some point in the next year I'm hoping I'll be growing a human, and there is no point in making myself miserable to lose 5 pounds when I'm going to gain it back anyway.  If I can maintain where I'm at and eat healthy in general I will be happy.

In regards to the holidays coming up, I wanted to pass on something from a blog I read, Run Eat Repeat.  Monica is hosting Pile on the Miles this year, where the goal for November is to rack up miles instead of pounds.  You can get all the info here, but the short version is you turn in your mileage each week (only walking and running are counted) and if you cover 5 or more miles your entered into a drawing for prizes.  Motivational tools are great so if you're looking for a reason to keep moving go check this out!

And lastly, because posts without pictures are generally lame.  I let you laugh this one up.  I was excited to get pictures from the half, hoping there was an awesome one of me running at some point.  Errr, there wasn't.  Most of them looked like this:

Screen shot 2011-10-24 at 6.11.38 AM

Yep, the only photos of me were from the finish line.  I was literally SPRINTING to the finish, so I was more or less on the verge of death, and apparently running with a girl wearing superman underwear.  I can tell in this photo that I had crossed the first mat that they announce your name over the speaker, so I was trying not to cry because I was so happy, while still trying to get to the finish line as fast as possible.  I definitely finished strong, but maybe wasn't the most attractive about it :o).  Oh well.

Again, do you guys have any questions regarding weight loss, fitness, running, etc. that you want me to answer?  I had a reader request to do a Q&A on Move it Monday, but I can't throw out any answers without any questions :o).  Thanks!

Link up your health/fitness/weight loss related posts below!  Also, if you are going to link up, could you have a little link back here in your post please?  I'd love for others to come join us, I need you guys for motivation!


11 comments:

Megan said...

Have you heard of the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women? Its great information. Talks about the importance of weight training and how women shouldn't be afraid to lift heavy. Its broken into 7 stages. I was a hard core cardio addict until I started lifting. I LOVE it. And the calorie burn lasts a lot longer after you're done than with running. Now I lift 3 days a week and run 2. I just finished stage 1 that is all lifting but stage 2 adds in interval training to the lift schedule. It's awesome!

Jennifer said...

wow...you are doing awesome...keep it up! :)

Cherie said...

Hehe! Love the pic of you and that woman in the superman undies! Too funny! Just wanted to say that your blogging about the Couch to 5k program is what inspired me to start C25k last June. I ran my first 5K in August and I'm doing a 10K in 2wks! I'm so happy to finally be in decent shape after having my son 2 yrs ago. I am continually inspired by your running updates and that you keep it real and admit that you struggle through some runs. There are some days that I really hate running! Reading your blog and some other running blogs I've found help keep me going week after week. The only question I have is if you would post your running playlist. I'm always looking for new songs to add to my playlist because I get bored listening to the same songs. Thanks!

KellytheCulinarian said...

I'll also be completing my first half on Sunday. After that, I've joined the Pile on the Miles challenge that Run Eat Repeat is hosting. I'm hoping to do a round of Insanity this winter to work on my strength and endurance before starting to train for a marathon once it gets a little warmer out. I need racing so I have a goal in mind.

Sarah said...

I'm with ya on the having a hard time losing weight when I know I'll just gain it back when I get pregnant. I was doing good working out until August and I hate to admit it, but I haven't worked out since! Really gotta get back into it before the holidays are here and I gain 20 lbs from Thanksgiving-New Years! I think i'll do something similiar to you and only run a few miles a week and work more on my strength. These flabby arms need it!

Anonymous said...

When I trained for my first marathon my period stopped completely until my training was over. I went to the doctor a few times and she said it was normal for some people. It never did that again for any of my subsequent training. Maybe it's a first-time training response from the body? As if it's saying, "What the hell are you doing to me?!"

Krissy said...

Haha!!! I am cracking up at the superman underpants! LOL. Keep up the good work!

Carrie said...

i got a shout out! i'm famous! i feel like i was just acknowledged by a celebrity. just kidding. ...kind of.

but seriously, i love your blog. i found it right at two years ago (holy cow that's a long time!) from something you posted on some pregnancy forum. anyways, i've been reading ever since. running (or any exercise for that matter) really isn't my thing but i'm hoping to get pregnant within the next year as well so i can't wait for your second round of pregnancy posts!

Brenna said...

Friend- when was the switch from "needing" to run to "wanting" to run? Was it after accomplishing the half? Was it after seeing great results? I feel like I had that feeling awhile ago- it was like an addiction to get out and run. Somehow I lost it and need it back!!

Anonymous said...

How about a review of any running gear you use?

Cait said...

I love reading your blog! I'm a 25 year old wife and mom to a 10 month old daughter. My husbands a firefighter so he works 24 hour shifts and I know it doesn't compare to med school but I can relate to your story.

I found your blog a few months before you had Ryann and I ended up getting pregnant a while later so I love your blog for all it's mommy and baby stuff as well as your story of getting healthy!

I know I am not huge but that extra 25lbs needs to come off already! I read everyday now for inspiration to get running and healthy. I have been feeling so down about my weight after baby but for some reason cannot just get my lazy butt up and moving! I'm starting the C25K and actually have been having an urge to run but it's still so hard! With my husband on 24 hour shifts I am always finding an excuse not to work out, whether it is that I need to take care of my daughter or spend time with my husband when he is home. I love sweets and portion control is of course hard as well. I've been doing well recently but there is always a wedding weekend, family or friend party, dinners out and so on that make it that much harder!

Anyway, just wanted to say I love your blog and keep up the good work! :)

Thanks!