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!

Newfound Passion

OK, so I've noticed that most of my blog entries pertain more to my C25K adventures than they do to my Lap-Band surgery. I think that is because the Band is working the way it is supposed to. Most of the time, I forget I even have it. My new eating patterns have become habitual, and are now second nature. At my doctor's appointment this week, my surgeon was very pleased with my progress; he basically said, "keep up the good work, see you in six weeks." No news is good news, and thus nothing to blog about.

So, what is there to write about? My newfound passion. I love a good sweaty jog in the morning. I never, ever thought I would say that. But it is so true. Once you build a little endurance, which surprisingly doesn't take long, jogging feels great. My breathing is easier, and it feels good to work my legs. Finishing jogging feels even better. Like I'm on top of the world. Very easy to get hooked.

I've planned out a very challenging summer for myself. First, I am doing four 5K races. One walking, three running. I want to do a sprint triathlon in August, the Westchester Half Marathon in October, and the Disney Marathon in January. That means I have a very tight training schedule. Fortunately, I love training schedules. They represent order and structure to me. It's oddly comforting knowing how much and when workouts are going to be for the next 5 months. Even though those five months are going to kick my ass. LOL. I decided to go with Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training schedule. Right now, it looks pretty intimidating. But the C25K schedule looked impossible at first, too. But, I'm doing it. So here's to getting it done, and to having an awesome summer!

26.2 Down The Road

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

Yesterday, I jogged for 20 continuous minutes. I haven't been able to do that since I was 19 years old. It's interesting, because six weeks ago, I never would have dreamed I'd be able to do it. But I willed myself to keep on going, no matter what. What's crazy is I felt like I still had legs left after I was done. This journey is so fascinating at times. It pushes me beyond what I thought I could do, or where I could go. It makes me feel powerful.

So now, I find myself wondering how far I can actually push myself. Where is my limit? I have a feeling it is much higher than I think it is. So, I am setting a daunting new goal for myself: to run a marathon before I turn 40. I am turning 39 next month, so that gives me time to prepare. The Disney Marathon is in January, and the Long Island Marathon is in May, so I have a couple of chances to do it.

I know that none of this would be possible had I not undergone the Lap-Band surgery. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. It doesn't do the work for you like Gastric Bipass, but it helps you do the work yourself. My body used to refuse to cooperate, and now it does.

So even with it's ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, life is pretty darn good right now. It's magical. :)

Channeling My Inner Pep Rally

Lately, I have noticed that I tend to cheer myself on during my workouts. When I start a 5 minute jogging interval, I think to myself, "You can DO this! Five minutes is a fun run! Done deal!" Where did this come from?!? I have become my own workout cheerleader. LOL. And it really works. Having a positive, motivating stream of consciousness actually gives me the confidence to keep going.

So, I've decided to throw pep rallies for myself in other areas of my life, as well. The confetti is going to fly. Strike up the band! Get the bonfire going, because the party is on.

Because whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right! So cheer away.

God bless, and run like you stole something!

Breaking Through

I have been reading a book called "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. It is a fascinating physiological, anthropological, and historical love story about running. It's primary focus is on an ancient tribe of Native Americans called the Tarahumara. The Tarahumara have been described as being the greatest distance runners in the world, routinely running 100 mile races, without becoming injured or burning out. I find this astonishing. They have no fancy running shoes, only homemade sandals. They live peaceful, simples lives, deep in the canyons of northern Mexico. Shy and retiring, they are uncomfortable around strangers. But when they run, look out! The book describes how they blew away the competition in the Leadville 100 ultra race, and they did it in style. They ran together as a pack, and the older runners outpaced the younger ones. How is that possible?? I had always heard that running breaks down the body, but the Tarahumara defy that assessment.

At this point, I would consider just running a 5K to be the ultimate personal achievement. Nevertheless, I am fascinated by what makes these ultra runners tick. How do you muscle through a run that's several hours long, and live to tell about it? Well, the answer is, you don't muscle through, you breakthrough.

In McDougall's book, he talks about it this way:

"[Y]ou have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it. Relax enough, and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you're moving. And once you break through to that soft, half-levitating flow, that's when the moonlight and champagne show up[.]"

Personally, I have not had that breakthrough. I've yet to build up the speed or endurance to experience moonlight or champagne, but based on that description, I can see why people get hooked on running. Definitely something to look forward to...

And the advice about relaxing into the run makes so much sense. I think it pertains to life in general, too: getting all tensed up about things is a waste of energy. Relax, let go, and go with the flow. Maybe there will be breakthroughs all over the place!

God Bless, and be well. And run like you stole something! ;)

Is this YOUR first adjustment?!?

Yesterday, I went to North Shore University Hospital to get my first adjustment. It's also called a "fill". It's when a physician injects sterile saline solution into the Lap-Band to provide more restriction via the access port, and it's done under a fluoroscope.

When I got under the machine, one of the techs walks up to me, looks down and says, "Now, I understand this is your first adjustment?" I replied, "Yes. Is this YOUR first adjustment?!? I hope not." Everyone in the room started cracking up. Now, granted, I am not exactly the world's best patient, but this particular procedure was pretty painless, and I didn't raise much of a fuss. Unlike in February, when I had my surgery (I had a couple of the residents quaking in their Crocs back then). Now, I'm on clear liquids and protein shakes for two days. Fun, fun, fun.

I feel like I am building endurance during my workouts, which is kind of exciting to observe. I still jog pretty slowly, but I figure that my speed will improve as I lose more weight and my fitness level improves. Gotta start somewhere, right?

Meanwhile, I certainly enjoyed the two day heatwave we had here in the Northeast. Eighty degree weather in April. Sheesh. Today it's back in the 60's, but cloudy and drizzling. More suitable for April, I would say.

Enjoy the weekend, and when you are savoring your solid food today, remember me...