A Taste For Adventure

This past Saturday, I left my apartment building at 6:30am, pumped and ready for my 5.25 mile long run to the Welwyn Preserve Seashore and back. It was the first time running this particular route, so I was very excited. I had driven a slightly different variation of the route in the past, but I had mapped it out on www.mapmyrun.com. So I thought I was all set.

I run into the Preserve and down the hill to the shoreline. It was an absolutely beautiful, hot, sunny July morning. I'd eaten my Powerbar earlier, and had a packet of Gu and some Powerade Zero for the trip. But then, I made a wrong turn on Landing Road, and wound up in an industrial area of town I never even knew existed. I got completely lost. I couldn't figure out which way was up for about 45 minutes. And I loved every second of it. Instead of getting flustered, I just kept jogging and taking in the views. The different neighborhoods, the landscaping, etc. Ultimately, I did find a bus driver who was parked on the street and I asked him for directions. But I had not felt so full of adventure for a very long time. And I didn't know I was able to go so far. I wound up jogging almost 7 miles, in 80+ degree heat, and I felt awesome afterward. It gives me hope that once I get my speed up, I'll actually be good at this endurance running thing. For the time being, I'm just having fun figuring it out. :-)

Jumping Off The Plateau!!!!

My month-long weight loss plateau has finally come to an end! I lost 4 pounds in the past week, and it feels great to start losing again. I also did my first 5 mile long run last Sunday. I wonder if there's a connection? Long periods of low intensity cardio activity tend to burn fat more efficiently.

I am training for the Westchester Half Marathon on 10/10/10, so that gives me plenty of opportunities to do long runs on Sundays. Ultimately, I would love to build my mileage up to 6 miles 3 times a week, and a half marathon run on Sundays. That would be a little over 31 miles a week. That would be awesome, because then I would be able to bust out a half marathon whenever, and I could build up from there to train for a full marathon. Eventually. I'm amazed that my mind has opened up to the possibility that I can even attain these goals. But believing you can do it is the very first step.

Have a great summer weekend! Go outside and enjoy the weather, because winter will be here before you know it.

What Is Hip?!?

For the past week or so, my right hip has been giving me trouble. Ironically, it feels better when I jog or walk than it does after I've been sitting at a desk or watching TV. Nevertheless, I have opted to give myself two days rest to see if the pain clears up. I've only had one rest day (today), and I already miss it. I saw a jogger on the road when I was driving back from court, and I practically started drooling. So that confirms that I really am addicted.

I ordered my Road ID bracelet, and it should be here any day now. It is an awesome safety item that allows emergency first responders to get access to your medical information if something happens to you on the road. It's a must for joggers and cyclists. When it comes in the mail, I'll post a picture of it. Be well, and never quit!!

A Very Happy Birthday Girl!

Today is my 39th birthday. It is the happiest birthday I've had in recent memory. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I am down 93 pounds. I ran my first 5K race this past Saturday, and I was able to jog the whole way, which was my goal. It was really hot and humid at MacArthur Airport that day, which was quite a departure from the breezy 6am training runs I do along the Long Island Sound. I took it really slow, so I was less than thrilled with my time. I finished in 53:18, which is slower than my training times. But, it gives me something to beat in my next 5K, which is on June 27th. Each pound I lose makes jogging that much easier, so when I reach goal, I will hopefully be very fast! I see the excess poundage as speed training in disguise ;)

I also registered for the Great Cow Harbor 10K Race in Northport in late September. I am following my training program, so hopefully I will be ready.

Countdown to 5K #1....Woo Hoo!!!!

Well, I finished the C25K program, and I'm still jogging! This morning I did 3 miles, and did 3.5 on Saturday. On July 19th, I start my half marathon training program. My first 5k race is this Saturday, and I
so excited!!! I'm still a slow jogger, but I definitely can do a 5k on a flat course. It should be fun! This could be the start of a very interesting new hobby: racer. Even if I finish last, I'll be thrilled that I finished. :)

Getting Ready To Graduate

This Thursday, I will complete the C25K program. I'm so excited! I plan on moving on to other training programs, but this was my very first one, and I am feeling sentimental. I will make a point of savoring every moment of the final two runs. I feel like I have come so far, and I have far to go, as well. It's all part of the process, and it's all wonderful.

I am learning to incorporate more flexibility into my diet. I realize that I am able to have small portions of certain foods when I am out socializing with friends, and it doesn't throw me off course. This new lifestyle with a Lap-Band is totally doable, and I don't need to make myself into a social outcast.

Ah well, off to bed for me. I am going for a long bike ride in the morning. :)

To 'Tri' or not to 'Tri'

I completed Week 7 of C25K yesterday. I would like to be faster, but I'm very happy with my endurance level. I figure I will get faster with each pound I lose. I jogged outside for the first time, and it felt so good. It's nice waving to other joggers and cyclists. It makes the treadmill feel like detention. LOL

So this summer looks to be more active than any in recent memory. 5K races, biking on trails, trips to the beach. It should be fun! I'm thinking about signing up for a sprint triathlon in September. I know I'm not ready for it now, and I would need to do some intense training over the summer to get ready. Even then, I'd probably come in last. But part of me really wants to do it. I'm going to mull it over for a few weeks...

I met my weight loss goal for the Mother's Day challenge. Now I'm on to the July 4th challenge. My goal is 25 lbs in eight weeks. I need to bump up the workouts and add more protein shakes to my diet to keep the weight loss momentum.

I feel really good about the progress I am making. I went "closet shopping" at my Mom's house and found jeans I havent been able to wear in at least 5 years. Now they fit me. Also, I found this Navy Blue suit I bought at Dress Barn many, many moons ago that I could never fit into. It still has the store tags on the sleeve. LOL. Well, I tried it on, and it is only slightly snug now. I couldn't believe it! Two more weeks, and I'm wearing that baby! At the very least, I'm wearing it to Mel's wedding on 6/26. Seeing progress makes me sooo happy. I read somewhere that weight loss is a byproduct of fitness. I really believe that. The Lap-Band helps me control my portions, but everything else is up to me, so I'm becoming a workout junkie! It's actually fun.

Well, that's it for now. Be well!