I feel just a *wee* bit crazy!

I just booked my airfare!  I don't know why but that seems so much more, I don't know, *final*.  Maybe it is just because it is another step toward 10-10-10

*Aack!*

No need to panic.  This is just another step.

Bird by bird.

UPDATE! Hotel reservations are made!  Staying at the Hilton which is where packet pick-up is along with the pasta dinner, and it is only 3 blocks from the start of the race.  

I felt so good, like anything was possible

I went 1.75 miles today (instead of focusing on time) and it felt really good.  I can tell taht I did more, but it was totally doable.  I am liking my plan of adding a lap (quarter mile) each week until RftC because that gets me to 3 miles by then.  

I listened to a podcast most of the time, but at the end hit shuffle on my walking playlist and "RUnning Down  a Dream" came on.  It was perfect!! 

"It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down. I had the radio on...The trees went by....I was flyin'.

Runnin' down a dream That never would come to me. Workin' on a mystery, goin wherever it leads.

I'm runnin' down a dream.
I felt so good, like anything was possible...There's something good waitin' down this road.
I'm pickin up whatever is mine."

a super long FB chat that leads to a revelation of sorts

Hi. Sorry about your crappy teaching day. Feeling better?

.... not really

sorry that I haven't posted much lately. I don't really have much to post. I've been LAME the last week or two

Well, it is OK with the blog.though not ok with being lame :-):-) any way I can help?

No

just busy?

I'm starting to feel the pressure with end of semester deadlines and work and Easter and RFTC and [work] crap and we want to put out a garden this year and [other work] and it's time to plant grass and [DP] is never home anymore and I'm doing all this on my own it seems like and there's just not much time to work out. I'm still tracking my food, though I didn't follow SP this week and was just happy when I didn't gain weight.

But I'm not telling you anything. You have all that plus two kids! ;-);-)

(hug) I toatlly get the overwhelmed thing though you have WAY more on your plate then I do

I'll be so glad when this semester is over!.....I just need to keep saying...BIRD BY BIRD!

:D:D

i know. it has been so hard to stay focused and if I let myself think about long term it is really overwhelming.  and I do not know how committed I will be 4 months from now or 4 days from now

but I am loving getting up in the morning and having time for me.

just me

to walk and breathe and move and enjoy the sunrise. I know it is selfish

no way. that's a nice thought

but it just feels really good

I haven't seen the sunrise in forever!

me either until i started getting up at 5:30 and it is cold and dark and I love it

just me

:):) That's AWESOME! And really important for you to have that!

You know, the crazy thing is that I look forward to it but i do still feel guilty so if I get up it is just me sacrificing my sleep time

yeah, it's hard to find time for everything. AND still get enough sleep. If I didn't sleep, I could get SO much done! lol

lol me too.  the thing is that I know I feel better and I know I like the me time

well then it's worth a little less sleep I guess.

but

It would be to me too.

I am not sure it makes be a better mother and wife and that makes me feel so guilty but being healthier has to count for something

How could it NOT?!? Being a better you, having that time for yourself to clear your mind and get healthier, MAKES you a better wife and mother! You will be able to do more and be around longer because of it!

right right

And your love life will surely get better because of it too ;-);-)

but remember  i am a creature of extremes and I am either a martyr or selfishly self absorbed

I am learning that I am like that too. All or nothing. Never knew that about me until SP and GFG.

yeah, and it really scares me

I think that can be a long term goal for us. To learn to find balance.

because i am totally willing to sacrifice myself for anyone or anything while still being bitter internally but I think that I NEED to take care of myself and I know where that leads....[a person we know who is notoriously selfish]...and I see so easily how I could become so selfish like she is and was everything was always about her and her needs and her wants\

NO WAY! You could NEVER be like her. NEVER! I really honestly don't think you have ANYTHING to worry about.

I don't know I can be pretty horrible person I think

whatever!! NO WAY!

which is why i think I make myself be the martyr because then I am not her

I would NEVER describe you as selfish or horrible on your worst day! Unless you've been living a double life...that I don't know about.

lol

hahahahah

Well, now that you know I have to have you killed

haha This should be on the GFG blog! This is a breakthrough! I don't agree with it.

This is why when [DH] asks what I am thinking I just say "nothing" :-):-)

These thoughts you have about [her] and such..are ....troubling. Because I really think you are way off base.

Well....I don't know Maybe I am needlessly afraid but I....have a very selfish nature and I fight it often but sometimes i lose and I see how easy it would be for me to be cruel or vindictive but instead I stuff it down and use food

Ok, I guess I don't see you that way because honestly, if you were selfish, I think you would've been taking care of yourself better than you had before GFG.... in what ways do you think you're selfish?

OK....a metaphor would be if you had a lot of money and knew that having the money made you selfish so you FORCED yourself to give it away but then didn't have the money for the things you wanted and got mad that you had given it away even though it was your choice to do so

So..being healthy and loosing some extra weight and taking 1/2 hour a day to yourself will make you a cruel person?? I'm SO confused now.

I spend my whole life being all things for all people so I create this expectation of helpful cheerful [me] who is always there and ready to help even though sometimes I don't want to but I do because that is what people expect then I get mad that they expect it when they only expected it because I created that expectation for them  and I am afraid that if I start focusing on myself 

i won't stop

hmmm...interesting.

I told you it was complicated and it is actually more than this

I still think that if you focus on yourself, those other ppl will still benefit. you'll be happier and around longer. 

yeah, i see that.

but I think that MOST people tolerate me/put up with me because of who they THINK I am as opposed to who I really am and I am afraid to be that person so I have spent my whole life wrapping her up in fat

I don't think you should be afraid. I know the "real" you and so does [DH] and [Rose]...and we all think you're wonderful!!!

I find it interesting that you realize all of this and still....Like on Biggest Loser, Jillian and Bob spend a long time getting the reason behind the madness out, then after it's out, the people seem to have a turning point and things kick into high gear.  They usually don't have a revelation and resist the positive changes.

Hmmmm that is a good point I guess I am just scared to change who I have been for so long I am the fat jolly self-deprecating passive doormat who does whatever people want and will make them happy. I don't really know how to be anything or anyone else and I guess the only example I see in my daily life (not that I see it much since she isn't talking to me) is [that person] and I

don't wnat to but what if it is inescapable?

sigh (hug)

thanks I know, I am a mess It is no wonder I weigh so much it is a lot easier to eat ice cream than think about this crap

yeah, I guess.

But I was really proud when today I had SUCH a crappy day but I did NOT eat a bunch of junk and honestly

WOW! Great!

I think it...harder maybe because I had to just let myself feel all of that maybe that is the problem

maybe.

I have not been able to use food as a drug so everything is just so....raw. so much. and I don't know how to deal with it but I will spare you that

:-):-)

see this was supposed to be about helping YOU

ME?!?

It's about US!

ah  well, OK I guess so

Well, I don't know how to help you deal with it, it's easy for me to say what you should do, but I can't do what I need to do...that's the whole point of our journey i suppose. To be there for each other. AND to remember that this is a life long journey and even after 50lbs or 10-10-10, we will still be together dealing with these things. xo

Of course you are right and I know it is just part of the process Thanks for listening to me though

your welcome. I want to hear more. This is definitely NOT over. I need to think about all of this for a bit.

:-) Ok

I LOVE YOU!!!

Talk to you later. Have a good night.

Love!!!

I think it is time for a change

I have been faithful with my walking and now that it is outside I can go at a pretty good pace without fear of the belt slipping and falling off the treadmill (but that is another discussion :-) )  So I go for 25 minutes and do 1.5 mils.  I do .25 miles in roughly 4 minutes.  Any faster than that and I would have to jog.  However I know that at this point jogging would really tear up my knees.  50 lbs from now, maybe but not now.  

So working on pace is not an issue right now.  Therefore, I think I need to focus on distance and endurance.  I looked at the calendar and I do not have to focus on it until mid April, but I think the earlier the better.  The first week I would have to go from 1.5 miles to 2.5 miles!  I need to make that a bit more gradual.  So I think this week I will tinker with adding .25 miles here and there (an extra lap) and see how that goes.

Friday!!!! Yay!!!

What a week!

To,day is my scheduled training day and I did not go, BUT it was a conscious decision.  This morning it was 27 degrees! Aack!  I have no problem going at 37, but 27? No, thank you.  I could have used the treadmill but I know tomorrow is supposed to be 35 (and I have to work in the morning), so I am going to get up early and do my training then. And it felt really good to sleep.  The girls both actually slept through the night, so for the first time in a long time I woke feeling refreshed.

Another very minor thing is that I dug out my old watch.  I had been using my iPod to time myself and realized that is just not cutting it.  So out of storage came....the Timex Ironman 50 lap watch.  It is really quite awesome.  At least it was, back in the day when I got it 6 years ago.  The batteries are dead so today I am going to try to get new ones and hope that it fires right up.  

This may not seem like much but it really feels like a part o getting totally ready.  First getting off the couch, then getting the treadmill going, then getting new shoes, then getting out the watch.  It isn't exactly Spiderman putting on his spidey suit, but almost. ;-) ha ha ha

A mixed bag, mostly good

So today I weighed myself and finally had some progress! Yay!  Now, I weighed a little late but it was still progress and I was feeling like a million bucks.  I actually cried a little.

THen later in the day I told DD1 that I had a fund DVD for us, and exercise one.  She said "I'll bet I can do all of it because I am so little" to which I explained that she is 6 so of course she is little.  She then very patiently, and not mean at all, explained that I have a lot of fat and I really need to get rid of it.  Second time in the same day for crying. :-(

Now, she wasn't cruel but it really hurt.  and mostly because we have always been a weight neutral household and she has never noticed or cared really.  But I know this day would come and I did nothing prior to that. :-(  

Maybe she will notice as I lose.  Hopefully.

But then we actually did the DVD.  It was so much fun!  And we had a blast.  Halfway through she sat down and said she was tired and sore. :-)  DD2 gave up immediately and used our downward facing dogs as a secret tunnel. ha ha ha

I had checked in out from the library but I think I may invest in this.  It was pretty doable.  i stayed away from the ones where you are on your knees (or did an adaptive form) so as not to REinjure my knee.  It was nice to have an indoor activity when the weather is crappy, like today.  

But I have been very good with my eating and tomorrow morning is walking again.

On a side note we all went for a walk and I was pulling kids in the wagon (we were hurrying to the bathroom) and DH noticed that my pace was better.  It felt good--not to leave him in the dust--but to see tangible evidence that my efforts are paying off in a practical way. 

The pendulum swings the other way

On a side note I feel like I am really monopolizing this blog, but I will choose to think of this as making up for the months I hid. OR that I am using Rose's space. *cough*

Anywho

Today I have only eaten 687 calories.  And I exercised this morning. And I am not hungry.

At some point I am going to have to force myself to eat.

This is madness!

I eat waaaaaay more than that in a good day when I am tracking and so much more than that when I'm NOT tracking that it makes my head spin.

The problem is that when I do this I get so tired BUT I (full disclosure) love the fact that I am in total control.  *danger Will Robinson* danger ahead!  I am by no means anorexic (clearly), but I have, in the past (several times), gone for long times when I don't eat because I LOVE the way that control makes me feel.  It isn't healthy, and it is bad bad bad.  I have GOT to nip this in the bud!

Why do I do this???

I am so ready to cause my own failure!!!

I have a friend from college (we were very good friends for a while, had a bit of a falling out, settled things, and have a sort of neutral/positive relationship now which revolves entirely around FaceBook.)  She had been overweight, lost weight, and at a time I had just lost weight (right before my wedding when I didn't eat) and really encouraged me to feel confident, wear clothes that fit, etc.  She was like this dangerous, daring, exciting person in contrast to frumpy boring me.  

Years later when we reconnected she had put on some weight. THis did not make me happy; it was just a bit of information.

Anywho, we (the Golden Girls!!) begin pursuing health in September or so, really kicking it up a notch in January.

This friend, in February mentioned she was trying to lose weight and running a 5K.  She even has a blog! (I am too chicken to ask for a link)

Her 5K was this weekend and she did it in 40 minutes. 40!!!

I had an AWESOME walk this morning and all I can think of is her stinking 40 minute 5K.

THEN I did what I SWORE i would not do and went to SparkPeople and projected, at 2 lbs per week, how much I can lose by Portland. AAAAUGHHHHH!  That is NOT Bird by Bird!!!!!  That is pressure. Too much pressure. 60lbs?!?!  That would be fan-freaking-tastic!!!!!  but also....60lbs????  That is crazy!!  I can't do that!!!   

And that is how this starts.  Me being super obsessed, overwhelmed, then the FIRST sign of failure and I am off the wagon.

Not this time.

My goal is 50 minutes, not 40.  I am happy she did hers in 40 but that is totally unrelated to me an my 50 minutes.

I am not worrying about October or June or even tomorrow.  TODAY I am eating right, making good choices, I exercised, I ha opportunities for sabotage and passed them up. Bird by bird. just today.

Just today, dagnabit!

Baby steps

I can really tell when I am totally focused.

I got up at 6 and walked outside. 40 degrees but it was great! My legs have been hurting all day; I *love* that feeling!!!

I had no time to pack a dinner, so I stopped by Kroger and bought grapes. Same cost as crap from fast food. The grapes are soooo good!! (also had a Subway 6inch with it. A healthy choice!!)

I had 2 bottles of water today!

Already planning tomorrow morning's workout.

I don't know how long I can keep this level of drive and focus up, so I am going to try to gain as much ground as I can!

Thanks for the advice....

Today I was eating my nice lunch of a salad (lettuce, mushrooms, egg white, cucumber, and sliced turkey) and a baked potato.  DD1 comes up and we had the following conversation:

Her: "This morning I was watching TV and I saw this show.   It was women and they were losing their weight.  It was really neat."

Me: pause

Her: "It was neat that they were losing their weight"

Me: "That sounds interesting"

Her: "Well, maybe you should watch that show.  You know, cause you don't really lose your weight much."

Me: "OK, thanks." 

*sigh*

That actually felt great

Today I took the girls to the local bike park, Safety Town, with the brilliant plan that they could ride while I walked. That was an ok plan, but the younger is not as adept at her trike as I presumed, so I moseyed along with her. She went 1 mile in 1 hour so I had plenty of thinking time. :-)

I called the park district and asked how long the track is and was told it is .25 miles. It is fenced in and paved and well maintained. It is in a good part of town and fairly well lit. No cars can drive there. Probably no planes will crash there either. It has a level track but also a faux viaduct so there is a hilly option.

I realized it is the perfect walking path! I can go early in the morning. It is perfect.

But I had not gotten my walk in today, so when I got home from work I went.

56 degrees and breezy. I had an iPod and playlist and shoes.

I went 6 laps (1.5 miles) in 25.25. And it felt awesome!! It is nice to have the treadmill as a backup but I am glad I have found a good outdoor option!

The week, in review

Well, had a won-der-ful visit at Blanche's house.  Marginal exercise but super focused on food. and my reflection of that time follows, in absolutely no order:

1 skating

We went skating with the girls.  It was sloooooow but fun.  As a kid I loved skating and I would love to get to the point where I had the self-confidence (and balance) to do so again.  Perhaps that can be a reward for way down the line.

2 biggest loser

We watched Biggest Loser and I was again amazed by how much they lose so fast .  While my primary goal is Portland, which is why I can keep going when I have no weight loss....I know that in a very real way the more I lose the more successful Portland will be for me.  It will be a lot easier if I can set down 5 bowling balls before then. (realistic? no. nice to think about? yes)  

which tells me I really need to kick it up a notch:  recording my food, more intense exercise on off days, more water, everything.  

I have been moseying along, which was fine, but I am on track, on program, now I just need to kick it up

 

3 water

I have gone the other way on the pendulum with water.  I have known it for a while, but Blanche took me to task for it.  Thanks Blanche!  That's why this works better as a team! 

Anywho, my relationship with water is complicated. I don't like it. at all. but I need it.  

The other thing is I weigh myself in the morning and I walk in the morning.  The treadmill is in the upstairs, the scale in the basement.  I often don't wait myself until AFTER I walk, so I don't drink water while I walk.  I know, it sounds stupid and lazy. That's because it is. ;-)  And a tad anal (I weigh less after I walk).  

So I need to FORCE myself to drink water as I walk (a skill I will NEED for Portland) and I need to force myself to drink water. period.

So I will do what I have done in the past: set a threshold for water that I must drink before I have any soda.  I will probably start with 2 of my red bottles of water.  it isn't perfect, but no compromise is.

4 girls outside

I LOVE seeing my girls play outside. I love that they like running around and moving and playing. I LOVE being outside with them and doing stuff with them.  The better shape I am in the better able I will be to do just that.  

I remember loving playing outside: pretending to be Laura Ingalls Wilder, running in the fields, tree house, sand box, swing set, just running around until the dinner bell rang.  Then, at some point--I do not know when--I settled on inside activities and outside was for when I was made to rake or pull weeds.    Outside was work and exercise and sweat.  

I want the girls to keep loving outside, and a big part of that is my attitude toward it. 

5 other activities/outside exercise

I see how great skating can be, and as I mentioned, I hope to be able to cross train with it.  But it was so gret to be able to be outside I am hoping to use the treadmill as backup and do my walking outside now.  I think it will better prepare me anyway, hills and whatnot.  

That will require early morning walking, but I LOVE doing that.  I have already made a playlist on the ol' iPod. I think today I will try to do my walk outside and see how it goes.

6 eating out

We ate out a couple of times (Wendy's is my favorite place because the choices are so good and so healthy!!) but we did eat some AWESOME Mexican food.   We were super good before and after.  And due to Blanche's prodding I recorded all of it.  And I didn't throw away any day, which I might have been tempted to do, since it was "already shot."  A lesson I need to keep learning.  Wise choices make any restaurant OK.  No food is totally off limits.  It is a lifestyle of good choices, not deprivation.

7 driving

I am sooooo bad when I drive, and I drive a lot.  I will eat whatever I have, so I need to plan ahead.  And I need to have small portions because I keep eating until it is gone.   I need to be more vigilant about that.

8 success!

My goal was to not be up any, but I was aftually down a pound this morning!!  Yay!!! Thanks Blanche!!!

Aaack!

50 days to the Race for the Cure!

I feel sooooo unprepared!

205 until Portland!!

**deep breaths**

OK, enough of that.

Bird by bird. We have a plan. we have time. We just need to stay focused.  Bird by bird.

water reminder

I found this website and thought I should post a link to it here. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should, and I have a hunch that maybe other people aren't either. ;-)
Don't forget to log your soda or other drinks on spark people; those calories count too!
Let's get back on the water wagon!

nutrition info search

I posted a new link in the Links we Like section! I've found this site helpful. Some times when tracking food on spark people I have trouble finding a food and it's nutrition information. This site has a ton of foods listed! Just type any food or drink in the search bar on the top right and a whole list of choices will appear! I've used it for Starbucks drinks and fast food items.

You can also get to the site by clicking here!

When the rubber meets the road....

I want ice cream.

Or a McChicken.  

I drove past those and got a Jimmy John 's sub for dinner (since that seemed healthier).

I have been super good, walking and such, yet I am not down any weight.

BUT this is about the race, not weight.

And I have had a super crappy week  month  several months.  

I just really really want to have some ice cream.

Why do I turn to food like this?

It is a drug and it makes me numb and numb is better.

But for today, just today, I am going to drive straight home, not stopping at any restaurants or drive thrus or gas stations.  

I will have ice cream tomorrow.

Maybe.

Yay Blanche!

Just saw your ticker on SparkPeople.  (I don't go to the site often since I record on my iPod...you need a ticker on here. SUPER easy to set up and update hint hint)

Way to go!!!!!

Week 2 of C25K

Well, I hopped back on the treadmill this morning.  I did 25 minutes (as I said before) instead of 20.  However I decided ahead of time to sort of tinker with the plan ( since jogging isn't really my goal) and did a warmup then instead of switching between 3.0 and 4.0 I did 3.5 the whole way ( a 5 minute cool down at 3.0).  

I was amazed at how much more doable 3.5 is than 4.0 and how much faster I got to 1 mile.  Which tells me that a race pace of 3.5 is OK (that is 7.5 hours, essentially).  It also tells me that there is hope in sight!

You're doing great Dorothy!

I noticed that you're more than half way to your goal on your weight ticker. GREAT JOB! Keep up the hard work, you're worth it! :)

Portland marathon waivers

Ok, so when you register for the marathon, you have to electronically sign two waivers. They are 'standard' as waivers go, but kind of funny and/or scary because as they put it, "...certain inherent risks cannot be eliminated completely ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic, including death..." YIKES!

Yep, pretty hard core... but we are hard core, aren't we girls?
Here we come Portland!

If you want to read the waivers, click here or here

I'm Registered!

Bib# 8298!

A Plan AKA Marathon Prep for the Unfit

In light of my registering for the marathon (!aack!) I am , well, not in panic mode but in pre-panic mode which I refer to as "highly focused mode." Which is good. It is way better than "do nothing mode." ha ha

Anywho, I decided to look at exactly what we are getting ourselves into. I know; AFTER signing up is probably not the best time. :-)

So I got out the trusty Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer, which is an awesome book. Knowing I am going to walk it does not change the miles I need to prep or the fact that so much of the race is mental, which is a huge focus of the book. So I got out the schedule which is a 16 week prep and, thankfully, we have a tad more time. Here is how it plays out:

If everything before the RftC is prep for the RftC (which I think is good, reasonable, and appropriate, but what do I know?) then everything before May 8 is based on the Cool Runnings Couch to 5K program.

Then, the following week we just begin the marathon prep. My thinking is that since in the marathon training you are supposed to be able to do 3 miles, everything before that has been getting us to that point. And by "us" I mean those who right now can't go 3 miles without wishing for death. ;-) Rose I am assuming you are following your own plan that has worked in the past. However, that may be a lousy assumption and you are welcome to hop on the plan too. Perhaps it is less Hellish. Maybe not though. :-)

With that in mind, it is a 16 week plan, but we have (following the RftC) 22 weeks. So, for the first several weeks I doubled them up (we do week 16 twice, week 15 twice, etc.) This means it is not until the second week of July that the long run is a double digit. :-)

Take a look at the calendar. I have it here as a pdf (hopefully ha ha).

Let me know what you think, if you see any errors, if you don't like the font/color/etc. I can make changes very easily.

But there it is ladies. We have a plan! A plan and 218 days!

Well, I am registered!

Bib #8282

A discussion from Facebook

Blanche:

March 3 at 9:27pm

I noticed that registration has started for Portland! I think we should register this weekend to make sure we get a spot! Plus the price goes up in a couple weeks.

I'm also going to register for RFTC this weekend!

Let's make it happen girls! It's our year! :D

Dorothy:
Uh oh if I register then I actually have to *do* the marathon.

And on FB I fanned the Peoria RftC group and it said that if you register now the send you your shirt and bib...no packet pickup.

Rose:
For me, once I am signed up to do something then it officially becomes "real" and I am stuck doing it. Before that, well, its all talk. I *will* sign up for it if you guys are.

BTW - I am also running the GW Classic on April 25th - which is a 10 mile run, so I am under the gun at this point.

Blanche:

March 4 at 10:11am

YEAH! I saw that about the packet being mailed out. Excellent. It will save you a trip and everything else. :)

And I'm the same way. Signing up is a big step, but I think like Rose said, then it will be 'real'. I don't think ***** actually believes that I'm going to do it. haha I wonder why?! LOL

I get paid tomorrow, and I AM signing up for both! I'm going to RFTC AND Portland with or without you! haha

And a 10 miler on 4-25?!? e gads! That's really soon! You're right, I'm no match for your bodacity or your awesomeness. ...good thing there's no charge. hee hee

Love you both!


Dorothy:

March 4 at 10:35am

I know for a fact that it will not seem real until I pay. PLUS ***** will harass me mercilessly if I sign up AKA pay money.

I get paid tomorow too, so I am going to sign up for Portland then. (I'll sign up for RftC later, but i KNOW I am doing it and there is no deadline/cutoff.)

Rose is far too awesome. But we all knew that.


Rose:

March 4 at 10:37am

I am a bit nervous about the 10 mile, but it will be okay I think. I ran 5 miles on the treadmill the day before it broke and that was no issue at all, so I just need 5 more miles between now and the end of April. I think that is doable. I ran the Cherry Blossom last spring (which is also 10 miles) on virtually no preparation and that was pure HELL because it has a time cutoff so you have to run at a certain pace or they will divert you off the course at the 5 mile mark!

Also, let me just say now that preparation for a marathon is PURE HELL, but its a good hell, if there is such a thing. Its a hard thing, but a great reward. After I ran Philly I said "never again" - but for you guys, I will do it again. :)!!!

Dorothy - are you in or out???

Blanche:
Well to be clear, i don't plan on running a marathon. =) mostly walking with some jogging is more like it. lol

Rose:

March 4 at 11:02am

That means you are going to walk for SEVEN HOURS. Running for 5 is terrible, walking for 7 sounds almost as bad.

Am I walking or running?

Dorothy:

March 4 at 11:05am

And to be equally clear, if I tried to *run* I would be driven across the finish line by the ambulance while they used the paddles on my heart. :-)

Walking for me. Which is the whole idea with Portland: the Walker Friendly Marathon.

Maybe I DO need one of those "If found on the side of the road, drag across finish line" shirts. ha ha ha

And Rose I see we cross posted, but I am in.

I "trained" before (using the plan in The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide) and got up to the 14 mile long run when I had the brilliant idea of hiking the Grand Canyon and has blisters so bad I couldn't walk for 2 weeks much less walk far and I never got back on track.

I am glad that the bulk of the training will be over the summer because my schedule is way better then (I am on first shift instead of second).

I guess I need to get out the book and see what kind of time frame it is. Actually I just need to add it to the calendar. :-)

Rose:

March 4 at 11:07am

Just so we are all fully informed on the pain and suffering that lies before us (is that correct usage of "lies" grammer snob of whom your mother warned)?

I am totally in, just trying to not think about it. Kind of like having a second kid - focus on the reward, denial for all the other parts!!

Dorothy:
Yes, I completely plan to walk.

i read an interesting article once about why they have "Clydesdale" cattergories (separate win categories for big/heavy runners) because it takes a lot more *work* for a 6'5" 195lb guy to run 10 miles than a skinny little person. And I mean that in a physics term. It just is more mass so more energy needed.

And this week I was listening to a radio show and a DR wast alking about a study about how overweight people lived longer in some scenarios (details are unimportant) and he said that if you took a fat person and could remove all the fat there is a lot of muscle under there. Just thing that a person who is 100 lbs heavier than you...how HARD it would be to carry a 100 lb backpack al day every day.

Soooooo because of this, I totally plan to walk and I am completely OK with that. :-)

And yes, I am aware of the suffering ahead. (too bad this thread isn't on the blog.....)

and lies is correct. :-)

And you may walk or run, doesn't matter. I don't think we will actually all cross at the same time (and it would be unfair for the last one *coughMEcough* to slow everyone down. ) But when I DO cross....you guys will be there because you will have already crossed. And that is going to feel AMAZING!!! (I actually just had a chill thinking of it)

Rose:

March 4 at 11:23am

Well, I cried when I finished Philly. NOT because I glad to be done (although I was), but because ***** and the kids were at the finish line.

Food related stuff

We went to a breakfast buffet today, and they had EVERYTHING; it all looked so good! Pancakes, French toast sticks, Cheese Danish ( love love love cheese Danish) but mostly.....they had biscuits and gravy! I LOVE biscuits and gravy and could eat, well, way more than any person ought to. I stood there for the longest time trying to justify it, and I just kept imagining what horrible number would pop-up when I recorded it. (FTR, 1 biscuit (and who has just one??? and 1/2 c gravy is 580 calories!!!!)

I had a bagel with 1 package of strawberry cream cheese, a large bowl of fresh fruit--the fruit was AWESOME (fresh pineapple! love it), and OJ. I am sure it is more calories then I intended to eat, but I chalk it up as a victory.

My successful day:

Well, first let me say I worked 7:30-5:15. (yuck!) So, I woke up too late to eat a decent breakfast, and I was half asleep when I packed my lunch. I didn't eat enough those two meals. By the time I got off work I was starving! ..light headed and all. Thank goodness I pre-made food last night, and I ate as soon as I got home! :) I had a lovely SP dinner of vegan lentil burger with cheese and avocado on wheat and applesauce. Very yummy. Oh, and I should mention, I got home at 5:30 and was in my pjs by 5:45. haha

After doing a few things around here, I logged onto SP and entered my food for the day. I realized that I'm never going to "find time" to make it to the gym. I'll have to make time! So, starting today, that's my new mind set. I don't have time to work out, but I'm going to anyway! :) Then, I did the unthinkable, I changed out of my pjs and into workout clothes and went back into town. I got to the Y at 9p and did C25K day #2. Only 25 minutes, but HOLY COW! I was panting wheezing like I only have half a lung. It was pathetic honestly, but it's only the first day, so I tell myself it can ONLY get better. I'm just proud that I went back in and did anything after I had been home once. That was really hard, but now I know I've done it once, and I'll be able to talk myself into it again! The good thing about going in so late was there wasn't a lot of people there. I hate when the gym is packed (which it always is from 5-ish to 7-ish).

OH, I wonder if this happens to anyone else... After I do any kind of workout for a period of time, I get a rash type thingy. Red itchy blotches mostly on my legs and stomach. I KNOW I'm allergic to exercise, but I thought there might be more to it. hahaha Like maybe my blood doesn't normally circulate through those areas like it should until my heart rate is up... or what? Any ideas?

Hooray for BIRD by BIRD! I've ate SP for two days and did one day of C25K! :D

C25K day 2: better!

This will be quick since I am crazy busy. I did day 2 of training and, believe me, I was not looking forward to it. But I changed what I did a bit and it was much better and quite doable.

Now when I was done I was *done*. But, again, I did what I needed to do today and that's it, but that's all I needed to do.

The change I made was that when I upped it to 4.0 instead of *jogging* I walked very fast. I think that until I am down quite a bit the stress of *jogging* is just too much for my knees and leads to injury. Plus experience has told me that jogging is actually *slower* than walking quickly for me.

Sooooo
1.10 miles in 20 minutes alternating between 3.0 and 4.0 mph based on the plan.

And I feel really good about it!

The Common Midwestern Lardbird

I did the first day if Couch 2 5K. It was killer! At first I wasn't even going to think about it--bird by bird!--but then I realized that I can *reflect* without dwelling. I also realized that it is my hope that at some point in the future (hopefully before the RftC) I am gong to *want* to look back and see how far I have come. So, with that in mind I am going to let myself reflect.

Reflect then set it aside.

So, bird by bird, I will consider this
# 1. The fat, slow, graceless bird also known as the Common Midwestern Lardbird.
:-)

5 min of 3.0 then 60 seconds at 4.0 and 90 seconds at 3.0 alternating for 20 minutes. 1.08 miles

That was the longest 60 seconds of my life! And when I thought I might give up, I got to walk.

I am amazed at how s.l.o.w. I am. And out of shape. And lumbering.

I started to think of how looooong 26.2 miles is, but I realized several things:

*I will no doubt be in better shape. honestly it would be hard to be in worse shape.

*Plus I could just *walk*. And I do mean walk, or mosey. I could mosey 26 miles right now. It wouldn't be pretty, but I could do it.

*But mostly, I don't have to go 26.2 today. Today I needed to go 25 minutes, alternating walking and jogging.

And I did.

The Gang's All Here!!

Well, at the very least Rose added to her "About Rose" section, so it is a step! :-)