Training is No Piece of Cake!

I try to stay positive about my training. In all honesty, that might be harder than the actual training and weight loss work most days. It's so easy to become defeated over one mistake in meal choice or a bad run. Well, last Thursday was a double wammy. I gained half a pound after seriously exerting myself during work-outs. Then, I hit the pavement for week 5, day 2 of training. It had been a while since I trained outdoors, since I'd been on travel for work, and let me tell ya, my body felt the difference. For the first time, I couldn't follow the training program to the second and was fighting the hills against pretty strong winds. It was a down day. Rather than quickly bouncing back, I threw myself a pity party. After talking about the bad day with a couple of friends and my husband, I remembered that we all have bad days. If training was so easy, it wouldn't have been the challenge and goal I set for myself. I had enough desserts before starting this venture to know that getting fit wasn't going to be a piece of cake. But this was truly my first big stumbling block, other than illness, and I only had 2.5 weeks before the 5k! So, I needed to center myself and find some motivation. It helped to have a busy, active weekend planned with my family. The days that followed were joyful and got my mind off my let-down of a Thursday. Come Monday and my next outdoor training day, the weather was too bad to run. Again, I was bummed, but decided I would keep to my schedule. I'd just have to run on my treadmill after I got Lillian off to bed. That evening, I saw a FaceBook status update from my friend Randi, stating that she had just completed her first-ever 5K on the treadmill at her gym. In my excitement for her, a lightbulb went off in my head. Why not skip the Couch 2 5K program for the night and see how far I could run? Bam! I had my motivation. Thanks again, Randi (and congrats)!!! At my slowest, I did a fast paced walk/slow jog at 3.8 and at my fastest, a full on run (for me) at 5.5. My average was more of a 4.2 pace, but I surprised myself. I did it! 3.1 miles in 43:30, burning 440 calories. I was so stinkin' proud of myself. Now, I have the belief again that I am a runner, that I can meet the challenge I set for myself, and when the weather is nice again, I will be out on road running to success!!! I'll see you on the bright side!

Fueling My Fire

First, vacation. Then, a busy return to work. Mix that with a husband, two daughters and a very needy dog to feed, nurture, and clean up after, and you can see why something had to give. I continued to train, but have delayed my blog posts. Now that I am on a business trip to Orlando, I am attempting to catch my breath and catch you up on my running prowess status (HA!). It's too hot and humid in Orlando for me to run outside, so I have taken to the treadmill. I completed week 4 last night and will soon head to the gym to begin week 5. I can't believe how far I've come already! My routines are now up to a little over two miles, which is a triumph for me! I'm still tempering my excitement with reality, as I can't kid myself. May 28, when I am scheduled to do my first 5K (3.1 miles), is just around the corner. Therefore, I must soldier on in pursuit of my first big running goal. Only one more mile to add to my workouts in the next three weeks. It's funny how that would've seemed impossible to me a couple of months ago, but now, I welcome the challenge, literally running towards it with open arms and much stronger legs! While I've learned a lot about myself over the past month and a half of training, it's become bigger than a mind/body exercise of stamina. When I opened myself up to a virtual world of friendship and judgement, I was fully aware of how we're not always positive about what we read and see on FaceBook and blogs and such. People don't usually air their dirty laundry, either. I feel very strongly that most people's lives aren't as happy, beautiful, or picture perfect as what they share in their status updates and photo albums. In real life we don't get to choose at which angle people see us or at what moment. Knowing this, I still chose to share my struggles, admit to my flaws, and broadcast my need to change. I expected pessimism from some and for plenty more people to not be happy for me...even laugh at the position I had allowed myself to settle into. It turns out, though, that I've received more virtual high fives and "woohoo" and "you go girl" comments than could ever have been imagined. You fuel my fire and remind me that people are good, that we can be each other's cheerleaders, and all too many of us feel alone when waging personal wars that are all too similar. We're just fighting to be the best we can - whether as wives, daughters, friends, moms, students, employees, etc. It's a lot easier to swallow the pill when you know so many others are sharing in your pain...even if figuratively. Admitting flaws has become less scary than liberating, and seeing myself grow is more gratifying than a piece of key lime pie (my fave)! For those who have taken a moment to comment on a blog, post on my wall, send me a private message, email, or text, or given me a call with with positive wishes, I thank you for being my cheerleader. For those who've said that I've inspired you, my heart swells even more. This was a selfish goal to be fit and healthy, but to see it become a movement of moving women makes me jump for joy - really, it does! I appreciate every bit of positivity that comes my way and use it to keep my feet swiftly going forward. Your goals are my goals, and I'm so proud you're my friends. See you at mile three...gotta run!