Everyone was doing it, and I had plenty to say.
At the time, I had been running for about 7 years but never really considered myself a "runner". Even at my fastest, I was the slowpoke of my running friends. (Yes, I run with some speedy people.) So, here I am, 3+ years later feeling like less of a runner than ever.
So, what has happened to me? That, I am trying to figure out.
Three years ago, I was in fine shape, running pretty regularly.
Today, I'm running intermittently (that's an understatement) and I'm 60 pounds heavier. Heavier than I've ever been. This isn't because I sit around and eat cheetos and bon bons all day. I eat pretty healthy 85-90% of the time. The problem is, the other 10-15% of the time, I am completely out of control.
Here's one my my favorite running photos, taken in February 2006 at the Fly with the Eagles Half Marathon. It was 20 degrees and windy that day, but I felt strong and looked strong. I have to get that back.
So, what's my point?
I'm trying to think of one. :)
Seriously, I've been considering whether or not I should continue blogging or just give it up altogether. Today, as I was running (yay!), I was thinking about what I've been doing to myself. I have signed up for the Go! St Louis Marathon next April, and I'll be doing the River to River Relay with friends again this year the week after the marathon. I'm also considering another marathon in May (Madison, WI?).
There is no doubt in my mind that I can not accomplish these races back-to-back without losing at least 20 lbs (preferably 30) and DOING THE TRAINING. That's a biggie for me. I've never really been big on following the training for any race 100%, but I've never been 60 lbs overweight, either.
So, my plan is to be accountable here. I'm not going to be one of those people that complains about being fat all the time but does nothing about it. I'm sick of feeling the way I do, I'm tired of being exhausted all the time, and I'm ready to DO something about it. At the beginning of this month, I plunked down the money and my daughter and I started going to Weight Watchers meetings. I have to lose the weight, I can't afford to keep paying Weight Watchers indefinitely (and I won't give up).
I've got a 10 mile race coming up the Saturday after Thanksgiving, then there will be 3 weeks before marathon training for St Louis will "officially" begin on December 20. I'll be checking in with my training plan for each week and results. Feel free to cheer when I follow the plan and heckle when I don't. Or if you really want to make me uncomfortable, ask me whether sleeping in was worth missing a necessary training run and why I did it. That will really make me squirm.
