I took Friday off to give my muscles a chance to recover. I had intended to do some other sort of exercise in the evening but decided I could use a rest. Back at it this morning I logged another 2 miles bringing me to 8 miles so far this week. Unfortunately for me, I got started a little late this morning and paid the price for it.
I was very excited to try out a new piece of gear today, an Enell "no bounce" sports bra. I managed to get the 12 hooks connected (the fit is quite tight and there is a bit of mushing going on but I believe that's necessary to restrict the normal free range movement of my breasts) and decided that it needed a real test...jumping jacks. I have to say ladies, it worked brilliantly! I have VERY large breasts which, under the support of my old sports bra, would have very nearly broken my jaw. I mean these things can get to swinging and it IS painful. With this new bra, there was hardly any movement and absolutely no discomfort. I think I found a winner! I am confident that I can now take on jogging without damage to the twins.
Here in the Commonwealth, we seem to be stuck in a bit of an uncomfortable weather trend: high heat and higher humidity, a killer combo. Still on the recovery plan, I managed to sleep in until 8:30 today which means that I did not get outside until 9:00. A later start = a higher temperature. Anyone who has ever visited the southeast U.S. in the summer will understand this dilemma.
I was thrilled to have some company this morning, my husband. His presence was a welcome change and an incentive to push hard and do well. My day of rest seemed to have been quite beneficial as my joints moved without pain, my muscles felt stronger and my limbs felt lighter. The first 1/2 mile was about 15 seconds off pace, not uncommon and I usually can regain that in the next 1 1/2 miles. Today that would not be the case. The sun beat down on us relentlessly and the humidity made it a struggle to breathe easily. We finished 2 miles in 34:14 and I'm satisfied with that given the conditions.
Feeling good after the walk today, no doubt thanks to the recuperation time I gave my body, I am looking forward to my walk tomorrow. I will take on a 5K, nothing official, just a full loop around my course making sure to get started by 7:00. With a more agreeable temperature and boobs in check, I am confident that I can complete all 3.1 miles in less than 55 minutes. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes. Have faith and...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
I Think I Can, I Think I Can...
So, I didn't get up until 6:15 this morning (see a trend forming here?) and I didn't get up easily. I was so sleepy. It is very easy to talk yourself out of things when you're warm and cozy, wrapped up tight in the blankets knowing that you could sleep for another hour. It is not easy to convince yourself to leave the comfort of your bed to go out in 80-some% humidity and walk 2 miles. But, I did it anyway.
Now believe me when I say that I tried everything I could think of to stall. I won't bore you with the details let's just say that it was 6:34 when I hit the pavement.
I had a hard time with the walk today, my body aching from the previous 2 days and 4 miles. I crossed the first 1/2 mile at 8:42 and knew I would have to pick up the pace. That's when I hit a snag. You see, yesterday while I was walking I noticed (yuck) a possum carcass. Today, there was a rottweiler feeding on the dead possum. Now there are many problems with this. You see, possums carry rabies, rottweilers have been known to be...we'll call it aggressive AND I can't run fast. The only means of defensive I had was my tiny Swiss Army Knife. So, I opened the knife, picked up my pace, kept my eye on the dog and started by him. He eyed me cautiously, never made a sound, and stood between me and his feast. And let me tell you, I LET HIM. I am not about to take on a hungry rott.
I passed by without any trouble and walked faster planning my defense for when I had to get around the dog again. All of this distraction was good for removing the focus from the pains in my legs, hips and back and the next 3/4 of a mile went by quickly. As I approached the point where I left the rott, I could hear the alarm (dogs barking) sound at Coconut's house. Coconut the mighty came tearing down the driveway and caught the attention of the rottweiler who bounded over to greet him. Now that the rott was distracted, I breezed by without any trouble.
Still focused on coming in at 34:00 minutes, I pushed my legs to move faster. With the finish line in sight I realized that I would have to jog to make it back in time. So, with 30 seconds left I started jogging. The driveway got closer and closer and the seconds ticked away. Just a little farther, going to have to run now. Still bouncing from the lack of proper support (It's supposed to be on the way.) I stepped into the driveway at 33:58, under 17 minutes per mile.
Tomorrow I have to be at work at 7:00 and will not have time to walk. My body is thanking me. I think I will make time tomorrow evening for some other type of exercise, maybe biking, maybe Wii Fit. Tired though I may be, I feel great, I have not allowed myself to give up this week. I'll keep moving and walk myself fit. Until then...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Now believe me when I say that I tried everything I could think of to stall. I won't bore you with the details let's just say that it was 6:34 when I hit the pavement.
I had a hard time with the walk today, my body aching from the previous 2 days and 4 miles. I crossed the first 1/2 mile at 8:42 and knew I would have to pick up the pace. That's when I hit a snag. You see, yesterday while I was walking I noticed (yuck) a possum carcass. Today, there was a rottweiler feeding on the dead possum. Now there are many problems with this. You see, possums carry rabies, rottweilers have been known to be...we'll call it aggressive AND I can't run fast. The only means of defensive I had was my tiny Swiss Army Knife. So, I opened the knife, picked up my pace, kept my eye on the dog and started by him. He eyed me cautiously, never made a sound, and stood between me and his feast. And let me tell you, I LET HIM. I am not about to take on a hungry rott.
I passed by without any trouble and walked faster planning my defense for when I had to get around the dog again. All of this distraction was good for removing the focus from the pains in my legs, hips and back and the next 3/4 of a mile went by quickly. As I approached the point where I left the rott, I could hear the alarm (dogs barking) sound at Coconut's house. Coconut the mighty came tearing down the driveway and caught the attention of the rottweiler who bounded over to greet him. Now that the rott was distracted, I breezed by without any trouble.
Still focused on coming in at 34:00 minutes, I pushed my legs to move faster. With the finish line in sight I realized that I would have to jog to make it back in time. So, with 30 seconds left I started jogging. The driveway got closer and closer and the seconds ticked away. Just a little farther, going to have to run now. Still bouncing from the lack of proper support (It's supposed to be on the way.) I stepped into the driveway at 33:58, under 17 minutes per mile.
Tomorrow I have to be at work at 7:00 and will not have time to walk. My body is thanking me. I think I will make time tomorrow evening for some other type of exercise, maybe biking, maybe Wii Fit. Tired though I may be, I feel great, I have not allowed myself to give up this week. I'll keep moving and walk myself fit. Until then...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Two Down and How Many To Go???
Well, I didn't jump right out of bed this morning nor did I get up gracefully. I guess you could say I dragged myself out of the bed this morning. I could blame it on 2 nights of having difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. I could blame it on the long weekend, sleeping in and getting off schedule. I could blame it on being tired from my fast paced walk from the previous day...but I won't. Ultimately, I got up, laced up and walked. I never said that this would be easy.
Once again I hit the road and pounded out 2 miles, 2 grueling miles. For starters, it was 69 degrees (nice, huh?) with 96% humidity. That's right! 96%. Do you have any idea what it's like to walk in that kind of humidity? Try this; soak a blanket, pull it over your head and start walking. I was sweating 200 feet into my walk and it was difficult to breathe. Did I stop? Did I turn back? Did I cut my walk short? NOOOOOOOOOO! I didn't get out of bed at 6:06 for nothing. I kept moving despite the pain in my hips, pain in my back, fogged up glasses, lack of sufficient oxygen and Coconut the shaggy mutt hot on my heels.
I finished the 2 mile loop again, this time a bit slower at a 17:08 pace. Not bad considering the conditions this morning. I'll get back to the 16:30 pace and faster, I know this. Patience is not one of my virtues but, I'm learning. I've heard that it takes 21 days to make something a habit. (I don't have a clue how they figured that one out.) That's 2 days down and 19 to go. Stick with me, I'll pull through, this is what I'm here to do so...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Once again I hit the road and pounded out 2 miles, 2 grueling miles. For starters, it was 69 degrees (nice, huh?) with 96% humidity. That's right! 96%. Do you have any idea what it's like to walk in that kind of humidity? Try this; soak a blanket, pull it over your head and start walking. I was sweating 200 feet into my walk and it was difficult to breathe. Did I stop? Did I turn back? Did I cut my walk short? NOOOOOOOOOO! I didn't get out of bed at 6:06 for nothing. I kept moving despite the pain in my hips, pain in my back, fogged up glasses, lack of sufficient oxygen and Coconut the shaggy mutt hot on my heels.
I finished the 2 mile loop again, this time a bit slower at a 17:08 pace. Not bad considering the conditions this morning. I'll get back to the 16:30 pace and faster, I know this. Patience is not one of my virtues but, I'm learning. I've heard that it takes 21 days to make something a habit. (I don't have a clue how they figured that one out.) That's 2 days down and 19 to go. Stick with me, I'll pull through, this is what I'm here to do so...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
And she's off...
I jumped out of bed ready to go at 9:00 a.m. this morning. OK, I know I said that I was going to get up at 6:00 but I totally forgot that yesterday was Monday, Memorial Day and not Sunday. You see, I don't go to work until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays so I did take advantage of that and slept in. My plan as of last night was to get up at 8:00 this morning when my husband called to wake me but, he was too busy at work so I didn't wake on my own as early as I would have liked.
Now out of bed, I got dressed, pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and put a load of laundry in the washer. Next, I ate a banana and drank 1/2 a bottle of grape Propel. I figured the banana would give me a boost of natural sugar and potassium and the Propel would give me some fluids and vitamins to start. I laced up my shoes, put on my stopwatch, grabbed another bottle of grape Propel and headed out the door.
My previous mile pace was about 17 - 17.5 minutes. I wanted to finish my 2 mile walk in less than 34 minutes today, AKA: a 17 minute mile. Out of my driveway I went determined to pump my legs hard and push myself to a faster time.
Now I have to tell you that I live out in the country a bit and the roads that I walk on are just rural routes. I don't live in a city, town or neighborhood with nice sidewalks or designated walking paths. I walk approximately 2/10 of a mile and turn onto a dead end road with relatively low traffic. If I walk the full loop, it is 3 miles. To make sure that we could track our progress properly, my husband and I took the car out one weekend and marked the pavement at every 1/2 mile. I also feel compelled to tell you that being out in the country can lead to some interesting obstacles such as various critters running across the road in front of you (slimy ones too). Also, there are a few people who allow their dogs to run amok and chase anything that comes down the road...more on that later.
Back to this morning's walk. Just a little over 1/10 of a mile into my walk I noticed some large birds circling over a particular area. Now, if you know anything about birds then you have already guessed that they were buzzards (vultures to some) and they were having their morning meal. I can tell you that having 3 large buzzards circling over your head while you walk is a bit intimidating but I figured I wouldn't have a problem until I came back by them and looked, well, dead tired.
Now beyond the circling birds, I focused on the 1/2 mile mark. this part of the walk was uneventful and perhaps gave me too much time to reflect on the tight calves and the sweat now rolling off of my head. I briefly considered only walking 1 mile. Afterall, it is very cloudy today and could start raining or storming at any minute. But, I dismissed the thought reminding myself of my purpose and continued on.
I reached the half mile walk at 8.75 minutes, a 15 second slower pace than I wanted. What do you do then? You move faster. Sound easy? HA! I wish. I was hurting but, it was not unbearable.
Back to the dogs running loose...there is a point on my course where I come to 2 houses that have both have dogs which have chased me. All of these dogs are shaggy little messes that have all the attitude of a bull elephant. I have stopped to meet 2 of them when their owner came out to make sure I knew that they wouldn't bite me. Coconut is the worst, he will chase me whenever I turn my back on him like he is trying to sneak up and bite me on the back of the leg. However, he is also the cutest and I have a soft spot for him.
I made it to the turn around at mile 1 in 16:52, just under the pace that I wanted to reach. Feeling energized that I could push it and make it back even faster, I was now playing a mental game. Talking to yourself can look strange, even scary to anyone who is watching but it helps. As I was approaching a steep hill, I remembered some tips my sister had given me. First, lean into the hill and pump your arms. It works. I can go up a hill faster than I can go down one...to a point. Near the top of the hill I wanted to slow down, shins burning, calves burning, hips screaming. Now comes the second tip, imagine a rope around your middle, attached to the top of the hill, pulling you to the crest. Better yet, imagine someone who loves you, your cheerleader, pulling that rope, helping you through the hardest sections of your course. It works too! I could see my sister standing at the top of the hill, pulling that rope for all she was worth, telling me the whole time, "You've got this Tottie. Keep pumping. You're right there."
The third 1/2 mile was my fastest at just 8 minutes. The last 1/2 mile forced me to dig deep, pump harder and move faster. Back past the buzzards covering my head, knowing the end was in sight. All of a sudden my vision blurred...I thought, uh-oh, I've over done it, I'm having a stroke or something. It took only a fraction of a second but I realized that it was just sweat on my glasses. Finish line in sight, I could see my husband (he was still at work but there was no mistaking what my mind saw) at the end of the driveway yelling, "Come on Sweetie, pick it up, you're almost there." I did pick it up. I ran the last 100 feet (ouch, ouch, I wish those new, "no bounce" sports bras would get here) and stepped into my driveway at 32:58. That's right, a full 30 second faster pace than I thought I would make. Yea me!
I walked around the yard for a few minutes to start the cool down process. If you don't know, this is when the sweat really pours resulting in a condition we refer to as "ogre butt". I stretched my legs and drank the other half of the grape Propel that I started this morning. Once cooled down with breathing back to normal, I had breakfast, 1 cup of Multi-Grain Cheerios with 3/4 cup of 1% milk and a 1/2 cup of strawberries.
I feel good. I have day one of training for a 10K out of the way and I am anxious to walk again tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. I'll stick with it, work through the aches and pains and celebrate the successes. Hopefully, as I work towards the 10K I'll be working off more of me, sweating off one pound of fat at a time. It's good for me so smile and...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Now out of bed, I got dressed, pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and put a load of laundry in the washer. Next, I ate a banana and drank 1/2 a bottle of grape Propel. I figured the banana would give me a boost of natural sugar and potassium and the Propel would give me some fluids and vitamins to start. I laced up my shoes, put on my stopwatch, grabbed another bottle of grape Propel and headed out the door.
My previous mile pace was about 17 - 17.5 minutes. I wanted to finish my 2 mile walk in less than 34 minutes today, AKA: a 17 minute mile. Out of my driveway I went determined to pump my legs hard and push myself to a faster time.
Now I have to tell you that I live out in the country a bit and the roads that I walk on are just rural routes. I don't live in a city, town or neighborhood with nice sidewalks or designated walking paths. I walk approximately 2/10 of a mile and turn onto a dead end road with relatively low traffic. If I walk the full loop, it is 3 miles. To make sure that we could track our progress properly, my husband and I took the car out one weekend and marked the pavement at every 1/2 mile. I also feel compelled to tell you that being out in the country can lead to some interesting obstacles such as various critters running across the road in front of you (slimy ones too). Also, there are a few people who allow their dogs to run amok and chase anything that comes down the road...more on that later.
Back to this morning's walk. Just a little over 1/10 of a mile into my walk I noticed some large birds circling over a particular area. Now, if you know anything about birds then you have already guessed that they were buzzards (vultures to some) and they were having their morning meal. I can tell you that having 3 large buzzards circling over your head while you walk is a bit intimidating but I figured I wouldn't have a problem until I came back by them and looked, well, dead tired.
Now beyond the circling birds, I focused on the 1/2 mile mark. this part of the walk was uneventful and perhaps gave me too much time to reflect on the tight calves and the sweat now rolling off of my head. I briefly considered only walking 1 mile. Afterall, it is very cloudy today and could start raining or storming at any minute. But, I dismissed the thought reminding myself of my purpose and continued on.
I reached the half mile walk at 8.75 minutes, a 15 second slower pace than I wanted. What do you do then? You move faster. Sound easy? HA! I wish. I was hurting but, it was not unbearable.
Back to the dogs running loose...there is a point on my course where I come to 2 houses that have both have dogs which have chased me. All of these dogs are shaggy little messes that have all the attitude of a bull elephant. I have stopped to meet 2 of them when their owner came out to make sure I knew that they wouldn't bite me. Coconut is the worst, he will chase me whenever I turn my back on him like he is trying to sneak up and bite me on the back of the leg. However, he is also the cutest and I have a soft spot for him.
I made it to the turn around at mile 1 in 16:52, just under the pace that I wanted to reach. Feeling energized that I could push it and make it back even faster, I was now playing a mental game. Talking to yourself can look strange, even scary to anyone who is watching but it helps. As I was approaching a steep hill, I remembered some tips my sister had given me. First, lean into the hill and pump your arms. It works. I can go up a hill faster than I can go down one...to a point. Near the top of the hill I wanted to slow down, shins burning, calves burning, hips screaming. Now comes the second tip, imagine a rope around your middle, attached to the top of the hill, pulling you to the crest. Better yet, imagine someone who loves you, your cheerleader, pulling that rope, helping you through the hardest sections of your course. It works too! I could see my sister standing at the top of the hill, pulling that rope for all she was worth, telling me the whole time, "You've got this Tottie. Keep pumping. You're right there."
The third 1/2 mile was my fastest at just 8 minutes. The last 1/2 mile forced me to dig deep, pump harder and move faster. Back past the buzzards covering my head, knowing the end was in sight. All of a sudden my vision blurred...I thought, uh-oh, I've over done it, I'm having a stroke or something. It took only a fraction of a second but I realized that it was just sweat on my glasses. Finish line in sight, I could see my husband (he was still at work but there was no mistaking what my mind saw) at the end of the driveway yelling, "Come on Sweetie, pick it up, you're almost there." I did pick it up. I ran the last 100 feet (ouch, ouch, I wish those new, "no bounce" sports bras would get here) and stepped into my driveway at 32:58. That's right, a full 30 second faster pace than I thought I would make. Yea me!
I walked around the yard for a few minutes to start the cool down process. If you don't know, this is when the sweat really pours resulting in a condition we refer to as "ogre butt". I stretched my legs and drank the other half of the grape Propel that I started this morning. Once cooled down with breathing back to normal, I had breakfast, 1 cup of Multi-Grain Cheerios with 3/4 cup of 1% milk and a 1/2 cup of strawberries.
I feel good. I have day one of training for a 10K out of the way and I am anxious to walk again tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. I'll stick with it, work through the aches and pains and celebrate the successes. Hopefully, as I work towards the 10K I'll be working off more of me, sweating off one pound of fat at a time. It's good for me so smile and...
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Your Mission, Should you choose to accept it...
First Objective: complete 10K
Date: Oct. 31, 2010
Location: Washington, D.C.
Two weeks ago I completed the Semper Fred 5K in Fredericksburg, VA. I walked 3.1 miles with my niece while my husband ran/walked the same course and my sister ran the 13.1 mile half marathon. I finished in under 54 minutes or about a 17 minute mile pace. Not bad considering that I only started walking 3 weeks prior to the race but not great either.
So, frustrated by my lack of physical strength, I have signed up for the 10K that is run in conjunction with the Marine Corps Marathon.
Perhaps I should back up a few more steps. My sister began running a couple of years ago and I have watched her cross the finish line of all of her races. She has been an inspiration to me. I want to find that kind of strength within myself. I want to feel better, stronger, healthier. I want to live a long, fulfilled life. I believe that improved physical health will lead to better mental and emotional health.
Last year my husband lost someone who had a tremendous influence on his life. In this man's memory he decided to improve his health to live up to the potential that his friend saw in him. His first goal complete, the Semper Fred 5K, he signed up for the Marine Corps 10K.
OK, so I didn't choose these particular races for myself but have decided to run them rather than stand on the side and watch everyone else. You see, there comes a point when you get tired of being the fat girl. When you get tired of everyone thinking that you are going to keel over any second from a stroke or heart attack. Never mind the fact that you are only 33 years old with a text book BP, resting heart rate of 64 and perfect cholesterol. Make no mistake, I am NOT doing this for everyone else, I am doing this for ME. However, I do want others to understand that fat girls like me don't want their pity. I am overweight because I have chosen to overeat, eat foods with poor nutritional value and never exercise. I have now made the choice to change.
Starting tomorrow, Jun. 1, 2010, I will be rising at 6:00 a.m. to walk a couple of miles. I will do this everyday. I will be altering my diet to include many more fruits and vegetables, less fat, more fiber, etc. (Details to follow in future posts.) I will use this blog as my journal, my record, of every milestone, setback and victory. I am excited! I am going to change my life!
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
Date: Oct. 31, 2010
Location: Washington, D.C.
Two weeks ago I completed the Semper Fred 5K in Fredericksburg, VA. I walked 3.1 miles with my niece while my husband ran/walked the same course and my sister ran the 13.1 mile half marathon. I finished in under 54 minutes or about a 17 minute mile pace. Not bad considering that I only started walking 3 weeks prior to the race but not great either.
So, frustrated by my lack of physical strength, I have signed up for the 10K that is run in conjunction with the Marine Corps Marathon.
Perhaps I should back up a few more steps. My sister began running a couple of years ago and I have watched her cross the finish line of all of her races. She has been an inspiration to me. I want to find that kind of strength within myself. I want to feel better, stronger, healthier. I want to live a long, fulfilled life. I believe that improved physical health will lead to better mental and emotional health.
Last year my husband lost someone who had a tremendous influence on his life. In this man's memory he decided to improve his health to live up to the potential that his friend saw in him. His first goal complete, the Semper Fred 5K, he signed up for the Marine Corps 10K.
OK, so I didn't choose these particular races for myself but have decided to run them rather than stand on the side and watch everyone else. You see, there comes a point when you get tired of being the fat girl. When you get tired of everyone thinking that you are going to keel over any second from a stroke or heart attack. Never mind the fact that you are only 33 years old with a text book BP, resting heart rate of 64 and perfect cholesterol. Make no mistake, I am NOT doing this for everyone else, I am doing this for ME. However, I do want others to understand that fat girls like me don't want their pity. I am overweight because I have chosen to overeat, eat foods with poor nutritional value and never exercise. I have now made the choice to change.
Starting tomorrow, Jun. 1, 2010, I will be rising at 6:00 a.m. to walk a couple of miles. I will do this everyday. I will be altering my diet to include many more fruits and vegetables, less fat, more fiber, etc. (Details to follow in future posts.) I will use this blog as my journal, my record, of every milestone, setback and victory. I am excited! I am going to change my life!
Don't Pity the Fat Girl.
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