I can't believe it. I truly can't believe it. I can't tell you how many times I said that today, but it's true. I can't believe...that I RAN...the ENTIRE....5K of the Freihofer's Run for Women. My official time? You guessed it, 35:14.1. That's 35 minutes, 14.1 glorious seconds, that it took me to run 3.1 miles.
By 10am, it was about 83 degrees, 88% humidity, with no breeze in site...it was HOT. It was intimidating. It was downright scary. But at the same time, it was incredibly inspiring, as almost 3000 women - from career marathoners to amateurs like myself - joined together at the base of Madison Avenue for the 29th annual race. I knew I wasn't going to be running for time, I was merely doing it to FINISH. And as I waited for the shotgun, I told myself silently, "It's ok if you don't RUN the whole thing...you can walk some if you have to..." After all, I hate running. I loathe it. Or at least, I have in the past.
I'd like to recount the entire race for you, kilometer by kilometer, but honestly, I'm still pretty pooped, and frankly don't feel like staring at this computer screen much longer. I can tell you that there were several points through today's race that I wanted to stop running, and walk to the finish line. But I knew that if I slowed down and walked, I'd never start up again, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. So I did it. I pushed, and I pushed, and I ran every single foot of that 5K...
I realize that 3.1 miles doesn't seem like much to some people. But for me, this was like climbing Mount Everest. A year ago, I was almost 40 pounds heavier, a pack-a-day smoker, and completely sedentary. Today? I ran side by side with athletes. THIS...was pretty cool.
I may make another post this week with a bit more detail about the race...but for now, I'm off to continue my regimen of ibuprofen and water. Sure, I'm a bit sore...But it's a delightfully accomplished sore...
Thanks for all the support...this was something I'll never forget! Along with that wonderful number: 35:14.1!
Till next time,
~L
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Ok, so Memorial Day hurt me a little....
Sorry, my update is 2 days late. But Tuesday's weigh-in brought the loss of almost another half-pound, so my total is now 31.2 pounds. As my gym partner recommended, we are no longer concentrating on the count UP to 40 pounds lost, but rather, the more anticipated count DOWN. 8.8 pounds, and counting. Diligently. Compulsively. Obsessively.
I say this because this week I've been "training" for the Freihofer's Run for Women, a traditional 5K race in Albany. I've never run a race in my life. I started with a quick jaunt (2.5 miles) that I told you about in the last post, and well, I don't really like running. But I committed to this race, on behalf of the radio station, so I'm not giving up. So Tuesday I did 3.1 miles (5k) on the treadmill, and despite my cursing like a sailor, I didn't die. Wednesday I did another 3.1 miles, and ALMOST died...not without a repeat of the previous day's language. Today I had to let my muscles rest a bit, so I did the elliptical machine and went home! Tomorrow, I will make my third and final date with the treadmill for another 3.1 miles, and then, it's all about hittin' the pavement on Saturday.
I have to say, I'm quite nervous about the entire ordeal. Having never run a race, and not being in the most "athletic" state, I know I'll be quite self conscious around the seasoned runners beside me. But I have a goal: to finish. I don't care if I'm the last one to cross the line, I just want to say I ran a 5K race, and finished. I'm going to push myself to actually RUN the whole time (as opposed to taking some walking breaks) but Saturday's forecast is hot and humid, two things that, in the past, have brought me close to tossing cookies after ONE mile. We'll see what happens. But I can honestly say that I'm quite amazed with the fact that I'm even ABLE to go that far on a treadmill. My first day at the gym, I could only handle 15 minutes on the elliptical. Five months ago I had pretty moderate to severe asthma, caused by years of smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Now, I'm training for a race. My energy, my stamina, my everything...has changed. And for the better.
Wish me luck...and I hope you can come out and cheer me on! I'll be wearing bib #955 (how appropriate!), wearing a purple tank top and black running shorts.
And I'll probably be the only runner you can actually HEAR swearing up a storm. Hey...whatever it takes....
;)
Till next time,
~L
I say this because this week I've been "training" for the Freihofer's Run for Women, a traditional 5K race in Albany. I've never run a race in my life. I started with a quick jaunt (2.5 miles) that I told you about in the last post, and well, I don't really like running. But I committed to this race, on behalf of the radio station, so I'm not giving up. So Tuesday I did 3.1 miles (5k) on the treadmill, and despite my cursing like a sailor, I didn't die. Wednesday I did another 3.1 miles, and ALMOST died...not without a repeat of the previous day's language. Today I had to let my muscles rest a bit, so I did the elliptical machine and went home! Tomorrow, I will make my third and final date with the treadmill for another 3.1 miles, and then, it's all about hittin' the pavement on Saturday.
I have to say, I'm quite nervous about the entire ordeal. Having never run a race, and not being in the most "athletic" state, I know I'll be quite self conscious around the seasoned runners beside me. But I have a goal: to finish. I don't care if I'm the last one to cross the line, I just want to say I ran a 5K race, and finished. I'm going to push myself to actually RUN the whole time (as opposed to taking some walking breaks) but Saturday's forecast is hot and humid, two things that, in the past, have brought me close to tossing cookies after ONE mile. We'll see what happens. But I can honestly say that I'm quite amazed with the fact that I'm even ABLE to go that far on a treadmill. My first day at the gym, I could only handle 15 minutes on the elliptical. Five months ago I had pretty moderate to severe asthma, caused by years of smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Now, I'm training for a race. My energy, my stamina, my everything...has changed. And for the better.
Wish me luck...and I hope you can come out and cheer me on! I'll be wearing bib #955 (how appropriate!), wearing a purple tank top and black running shorts.
And I'll probably be the only runner you can actually HEAR swearing up a storm. Hey...whatever it takes....
;)
Till next time,
~L
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day weekend....
Well I knew it was going to be challenging, but I made it through...relatively well!
I traveled to Western NY to see my family over the long weekend. Friday I had a home-cooked dinner with my mom outside of Rochester (she made chicken and veggies, very healthy!), so I did ok...but then, DISASTER! (Ok, not really "disaster"....just a little dramatic effect...)
I went to my brother's in Rochester where we were going to a party. As soon as we walked in, the scent of creamy, cheesy, artichoke dip filled the air - THIS was gonna be tough! Long story short, it was a very fun party. Yes, I had a few cocktails, and I enjoyed every single sip. I even had a bit of that fat-laden artichoke dip! No guilt...I was just living it up a little! I've worked really, REALLY hard for the past 4 months, and I let loose. Not like I do it all the time, but I do know that I certainly went over my calories for the day. Eh, so be it. I had a lot of fun, and really, truly enjoyed myself!
I did some more traveling Saturday, bringing me to my father's house, where it's pretty typical for me to raid the cupboards, pantry, and fridge for anything that I usually don't keep at my house. Yes, I'm in my early 30s, but it's still a treat for me to rifle through dad's goodies and pig out! HOWEVER, I refrained, because the hauntings (and quite frankly, the hangover) from Friday were still fresh in my mind. I stuck to my Jenny food, and enjoyed a long visit with my best friend.
Sunday was my dad's annual Memorial Day party, complete with a barbecue (burgers, hot dogs, sausages), salads (including macaroni!), drinks, and various other munchies. Committed gal that I am, I noticed there was no veggie tray, so I ran to the market to grab some carrots, celery, broccoli, and cucumbers. I won't lie, I did decide to have the "party food", but I certainly did watch my portions like a hawk! And I enjoyed myself again.
It was great to hear all the compliments of friends and family who hadn't seen me since Thanksgiving...they were all so proud of me and supportive and it made me feel great. Do I feel a little, teeny, tiny bit guilty today after indulging a bit? Sure. Yes I do, because I know I get weighed tomorrow and I may not have lost any weight. I honestly don't feel like I've gained any either, which is terrific. But if I happened to have put on a few more ounces, I'm ok with that too. Hey, I've been saying all along: Jenny Craig realizes that you're still going to have a LIFE, and sometimes that means "going off the plan" for a bit. But the great thing is, I have learned the TOOLS to keep me on TRACK, so I CAN still enjoy what other people are enjoying!
And hey, I can't be THAT bad...even though I was on a mini-vacation, I STILL went for a 2.5 mile run with my best friend! THAT is pretty impressive...to me, anyways! I'm going to attempt a 5K this weekend (Freihoffer's Run for Women), so I'm going to try to switch it up at the gym this week. I'm going to run more than do the elliptical...but the way my legs feel now, from using muscles I don't usually use, that will be yet another challenge to overcome! But I'm up for it!
I hope your weight-loss journey is still going well...and if you "cheated" a little bit this weekend? So what! Tomorrow's another day...you've done SO well this far...it's ok to LIVE A LITTLE!!! :)
Till next time,
~L
I traveled to Western NY to see my family over the long weekend. Friday I had a home-cooked dinner with my mom outside of Rochester (she made chicken and veggies, very healthy!), so I did ok...but then, DISASTER! (Ok, not really "disaster"....just a little dramatic effect...)
I went to my brother's in Rochester where we were going to a party. As soon as we walked in, the scent of creamy, cheesy, artichoke dip filled the air - THIS was gonna be tough! Long story short, it was a very fun party. Yes, I had a few cocktails, and I enjoyed every single sip. I even had a bit of that fat-laden artichoke dip! No guilt...I was just living it up a little! I've worked really, REALLY hard for the past 4 months, and I let loose. Not like I do it all the time, but I do know that I certainly went over my calories for the day. Eh, so be it. I had a lot of fun, and really, truly enjoyed myself!
I did some more traveling Saturday, bringing me to my father's house, where it's pretty typical for me to raid the cupboards, pantry, and fridge for anything that I usually don't keep at my house. Yes, I'm in my early 30s, but it's still a treat for me to rifle through dad's goodies and pig out! HOWEVER, I refrained, because the hauntings (and quite frankly, the hangover) from Friday were still fresh in my mind. I stuck to my Jenny food, and enjoyed a long visit with my best friend.
Sunday was my dad's annual Memorial Day party, complete with a barbecue (burgers, hot dogs, sausages), salads (including macaroni!), drinks, and various other munchies. Committed gal that I am, I noticed there was no veggie tray, so I ran to the market to grab some carrots, celery, broccoli, and cucumbers. I won't lie, I did decide to have the "party food", but I certainly did watch my portions like a hawk! And I enjoyed myself again.
It was great to hear all the compliments of friends and family who hadn't seen me since Thanksgiving...they were all so proud of me and supportive and it made me feel great. Do I feel a little, teeny, tiny bit guilty today after indulging a bit? Sure. Yes I do, because I know I get weighed tomorrow and I may not have lost any weight. I honestly don't feel like I've gained any either, which is terrific. But if I happened to have put on a few more ounces, I'm ok with that too. Hey, I've been saying all along: Jenny Craig realizes that you're still going to have a LIFE, and sometimes that means "going off the plan" for a bit. But the great thing is, I have learned the TOOLS to keep me on TRACK, so I CAN still enjoy what other people are enjoying!
And hey, I can't be THAT bad...even though I was on a mini-vacation, I STILL went for a 2.5 mile run with my best friend! THAT is pretty impressive...to me, anyways! I'm going to attempt a 5K this weekend (Freihoffer's Run for Women), so I'm going to try to switch it up at the gym this week. I'm going to run more than do the elliptical...but the way my legs feel now, from using muscles I don't usually use, that will be yet another challenge to overcome! But I'm up for it!
I hope your weight-loss journey is still going well...and if you "cheated" a little bit this weekend? So what! Tomorrow's another day...you've done SO well this far...it's ok to LIVE A LITTLE!!! :)
Till next time,
~L
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