1- When traveling for work with a group of men, and vendors are taking you to the best places to eat, it is not always the best idea to get the most food and drinks possible out of the free meal.
Moo.
That said, I ate at a couple of great places in Minneapolis (here and here) and one pretty great place in Grand Rapids. I did pretty good at eating healthy in Grand Rapids (here), but I was out of control in Minneapolis.
2 - I haven't been running. Combined with #1 above, I feel terrible right about now. I want to hibernate and wake up when I've lost about 20 lbs. The problem with hibernating is that it won't get me marathon-ready in less than 3 months. Guess I'll have to suck it up.
3 - Work is kicking my butt. I need to figure out how to get more rest when I'm traveling. I chose the job that includes all the travel, now I have to figure out how to make it work in my life. When I'm on the road, I tend to work all day at the facility I'm visiting, then go to my hotel and do the work I would have done if I was in the office.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Woe, Woe
I had a 2 1/2 day long pity party over the weekend.
Am I depressed? Maybe.
Am I just lazy? Most definitely.
I tend to need activities planned in order to keep myself motivated over the weekend. Otherwise, I lay around in my pajamas the entire time and read. It all ended last night with the ordering of pizza so that I wouldn't have to do any more dishes.
I'm ok with it because I hit the ground running at work today and have had a pretty productive day. I'm pretty stoked about work these days because I have quite a few pretty big projects coming up. The big projects that affect a lot of change are always my favorites. :)
Anyhow, I took advantage of the beginning of the year sales this year and ordered a treadmill and an elliptical machine. I've had several treadmills in the past, but this time I went all out and ordered quality instead of taking the cheap route. Since my daughter doesn't like to run, I also ordered an elliptical machine for her to use (and I'll take advantage of it, too).
I expect zero excuses from me from here on out.
It's too cold. (hit the treadmill)
It's too hot. (hit the treadmill)
I overslept. (treadmill before bed)
I don't feel up to it. (hit the treadmill or elliptical and stop if you feel worse)
It's worked for me in the past, no reason it shouldn't work this time around.
One more day in the office this week, barring a huge snowfall, and I'll be off to Grand Rapids later in the week. Maybe I can explore GR on foot one of the mornings I'm there...
Am I depressed? Maybe.
Am I just lazy? Most definitely.
I tend to need activities planned in order to keep myself motivated over the weekend. Otherwise, I lay around in my pajamas the entire time and read. It all ended last night with the ordering of pizza so that I wouldn't have to do any more dishes.
I'm ok with it because I hit the ground running at work today and have had a pretty productive day. I'm pretty stoked about work these days because I have quite a few pretty big projects coming up. The big projects that affect a lot of change are always my favorites. :)
Anyhow, I took advantage of the beginning of the year sales this year and ordered a treadmill and an elliptical machine. I've had several treadmills in the past, but this time I went all out and ordered quality instead of taking the cheap route. Since my daughter doesn't like to run, I also ordered an elliptical machine for her to use (and I'll take advantage of it, too).
I expect zero excuses from me from here on out.
It's too cold. (hit the treadmill)
It's too hot. (hit the treadmill)
I overslept. (treadmill before bed)
I don't feel up to it. (hit the treadmill or elliptical and stop if you feel worse)
It's worked for me in the past, no reason it shouldn't work this time around.
One more day in the office this week, barring a huge snowfall, and I'll be off to Grand Rapids later in the week. Maybe I can explore GR on foot one of the mornings I'm there...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
It's a Good Thing
That I didn't make any "real" resolutions for 2011. I got my days and nights all mixed up over the long weekend, and I've been having a hard time getting any sleep so far.
No sleep = No running for me.
I have, however, cooked healthy meals at home every day since January 1. That's HUGE for me! I can't remember the last time I cooked dinner every day for 4 days in a row, and I have plans for what I'm cooking tonight. I may actually make it a full week of healthy, home-cooked meals. It's a miracle!
Unfortunately, my streak will have to come to an end when my travel schedule starts to ramp up for this year. I'll be spending part of every week from next week through mid-February in Madison, WI, Grand Rapids, MI, or Minneapolis, MN. Why couldn't I have gotten assigned to Florida and California for the winter?? Why?
Anyhow, I had a fantastic New Year's. I spent it at one of my new neighbor's house. They probably had 20 or so families over from the neighborhood. It was great to get a chance to know some of the neighbors a little better, and I'm SO glad I moved into this particular neighborhood. I've never lived in a place where people tried to be friends with their neighbors. I like it.
I don't like it so much when my doorbell rings a couple of times a week for one reason or another and I'm wearing my pajamas. But, ah well, such is life. I'm sure I'm not the only one that changes immediately into sweats or pajamas as soon as I get home from work.
Right?
Now, to find somebody to pawn off these butter braids that the neighbor's daughters were selling for the band. It's bad for me to have something that sweet and fattening in the house...
No sleep = No running for me.
I have, however, cooked healthy meals at home every day since January 1. That's HUGE for me! I can't remember the last time I cooked dinner every day for 4 days in a row, and I have plans for what I'm cooking tonight. I may actually make it a full week of healthy, home-cooked meals. It's a miracle!
Unfortunately, my streak will have to come to an end when my travel schedule starts to ramp up for this year. I'll be spending part of every week from next week through mid-February in Madison, WI, Grand Rapids, MI, or Minneapolis, MN. Why couldn't I have gotten assigned to Florida and California for the winter?? Why?
Anyhow, I had a fantastic New Year's. I spent it at one of my new neighbor's house. They probably had 20 or so families over from the neighborhood. It was great to get a chance to know some of the neighbors a little better, and I'm SO glad I moved into this particular neighborhood. I've never lived in a place where people tried to be friends with their neighbors. I like it.
I don't like it so much when my doorbell rings a couple of times a week for one reason or another and I'm wearing my pajamas. But, ah well, such is life. I'm sure I'm not the only one that changes immediately into sweats or pajamas as soon as I get home from work.
Right?
Now, to find somebody to pawn off these butter braids that the neighbor's daughters were selling for the band. It's bad for me to have something that sweet and fattening in the house...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Clean Slate
"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Every year, I debate whether or not to make "resolutions". As much as I hate them, I just can't help but feel like the new year is my chance at a clean slate. As 2010 comes to a close, I have spent a lot of time beating myself up over my failures of the year. I haven't lost any weight, in fact I've probably gained. I haven't been doing much running at all. I've probably ran the least miles I have ever run in a year.
On the other hand, I have made a lot of changes this year, and some accomplishments. I may not have run many miles overall, but I ran
5 Half Marathons,
1 Full Marathon,
1 8-man/80-mile relay,
and various races of shorter distances.
I also moved myself and my 2 kids 300+ miles from the area we've lived for the past 15+ years (and 300 miles away from all the help from my parents). I've started in a new position at work where I travel about 50% of the time (which I love, by the way, the job and the travel).
So, what does 2011 hold for me? Well, clearly, I get to start a fresh new chapter. I can't wait for that.
I'm not going to set any arbitrary goals for myself (although I have already committed to at least 2 marathons for the year and various other races).
Instead of saying I will lose xx pounds or run yyyy miles, I'm going to take it as it comes. Of course, it's crazy to say that I don't have some hope in mind for what I think I want to accomplish. I'm going to make it my #1 new year's resolution to forgive myself if I don't meet all my expectations.
I also have some goals in mind for work and for my personal life. I can pretty much boil it down to this: Focus. I have so many things that need to get accomplished, that it's impossible to think I can get it all done when I would like for it to get done, at work and at home. My second resolution is to focus on the task at hand and cross things off my to-do list one at a time without getting overwhelmed.
That's it. I feel good about giving myself a break. Hopefully, I'll follow through with it and have a more positive outlook in 2011 than I've had in 2010.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Every year, I debate whether or not to make "resolutions". As much as I hate them, I just can't help but feel like the new year is my chance at a clean slate. As 2010 comes to a close, I have spent a lot of time beating myself up over my failures of the year. I haven't lost any weight, in fact I've probably gained. I haven't been doing much running at all. I've probably ran the least miles I have ever run in a year.
On the other hand, I have made a lot of changes this year, and some accomplishments. I may not have run many miles overall, but I ran
5 Half Marathons,
1 Full Marathon,
1 8-man/80-mile relay,
and various races of shorter distances.
I also moved myself and my 2 kids 300+ miles from the area we've lived for the past 15+ years (and 300 miles away from all the help from my parents). I've started in a new position at work where I travel about 50% of the time (which I love, by the way, the job and the travel).
So, what does 2011 hold for me? Well, clearly, I get to start a fresh new chapter. I can't wait for that.
I'm not going to set any arbitrary goals for myself (although I have already committed to at least 2 marathons for the year and various other races).
Instead of saying I will lose xx pounds or run yyyy miles, I'm going to take it as it comes. Of course, it's crazy to say that I don't have some hope in mind for what I think I want to accomplish. I'm going to make it my #1 new year's resolution to forgive myself if I don't meet all my expectations.
I also have some goals in mind for work and for my personal life. I can pretty much boil it down to this: Focus. I have so many things that need to get accomplished, that it's impossible to think I can get it all done when I would like for it to get done, at work and at home. My second resolution is to focus on the task at hand and cross things off my to-do list one at a time without getting overwhelmed.
That's it. I feel good about giving myself a break. Hopefully, I'll follow through with it and have a more positive outlook in 2011 than I've had in 2010.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Training Plan, Weeks 1 and 2
So, here we are, Day 2 of marathon training for St Louis.
I purposely scheduled no running yesterday. The way I had it planned, I would have 0 runs on days I have to be in the office for the first 2 weeks of my plan. This way, I can be miserable in peace while I try to get back some level of fitness.
Week 1, 12/20-12/26
Tuesday, 12/21: 6 miles (work from home)
Thursday, 12/23: 5 miles, include 3 miles tempo run (vacation day)
Sunday, 12/26: 10 miles
Week 2, 12/27 - 1/2
Tuesday, 12/28: 5 miles (vacation day)
Friday, 12/31: 5 miles, include 2x1600 (holiday)
Sunday, 1/2: 12 miles
As it turns out, today I wound up shoveling snow during the time I would have normally been running.
Soooo, for week 1, I will either run later this afternoon (unlikely), or change to Thursday and Friday running, with the long run remaining on Sunday. Honestly, I really could have ran this morning and shoveled during my lunchtime, but I elected to sleep in instead.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely not. :/
Maybe I'll remember that the next time I hit the snooze button...
I purposely scheduled no running yesterday. The way I had it planned, I would have 0 runs on days I have to be in the office for the first 2 weeks of my plan. This way, I can be miserable in peace while I try to get back some level of fitness.
Week 1, 12/20-12/26
Tuesday, 12/21: 6 miles (work from home)
Thursday, 12/23: 5 miles, include 3 miles tempo run (vacation day)
Sunday, 12/26: 10 miles
Week 2, 12/27 - 1/2
Tuesday, 12/28: 5 miles (vacation day)
Friday, 12/31: 5 miles, include 2x1600 (holiday)
Sunday, 1/2: 12 miles
As it turns out, today I wound up shoveling snow during the time I would have normally been running.
Soooo, for week 1, I will either run later this afternoon (unlikely), or change to Thursday and Friday running, with the long run remaining on Sunday. Honestly, I really could have ran this morning and shoveled during my lunchtime, but I elected to sleep in instead.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely not. :/
Maybe I'll remember that the next time I hit the snooze button...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
T Minus 6 Days
Until Marathon training starts! So, I haven't really been running lately, but I will be running at least one marathon in the Spring. And, I will be posting my weekly goals and results here on a regular basis as well.
I'm already looking at the plan that I printed out last week and deciding what changes I will make so that it will fit my schedule. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work from home a day or two every week (when I'm not traveling). I will be planning my longer mid-week runs on work from home days when I don't have to worry about getting dressed for work afterwards. :)
Also, my long run for the first week falls on Christmas. One thing I learned from Thanksgiving, I won't do my long run on a holiday when I'm staying at my parents' house.
I will be posting my Week One plan on Sunday. Let's see if I can go from Couch to Marathon in 16 weeks. (I know I can, let's hope I can do it gracefully)
I'm already looking at the plan that I printed out last week and deciding what changes I will make so that it will fit my schedule. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work from home a day or two every week (when I'm not traveling). I will be planning my longer mid-week runs on work from home days when I don't have to worry about getting dressed for work afterwards. :)
Also, my long run for the first week falls on Christmas. One thing I learned from Thanksgiving, I won't do my long run on a holiday when I'm staying at my parents' house.
I will be posting my Week One plan on Sunday. Let's see if I can go from Couch to Marathon in 16 weeks. (I know I can, let's hope I can do it gracefully)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Comeback #6,921
On August 3, 2007, I decided to start blogging.
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.
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.
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