Day 182: Work and Fitness

Monday, August 23, 2010

Summer was terrific! How easily I forget what life is like when I have to actually... work!

I did not sleep well nor much last night because I was a bit nervous. I went to work. It was beautiful and stressy and exciting and tiring all at the same time. It all worked out well in the end, but not without some headache and anxiety.

To put the icing on the cake we had a meeting at the end of the day. When I came home I was finished. I went to bed and.... slept. Gym, fitness, running, even healthy food looked like a distant dream disappearing in the mist..

I hope tomorrow will be a better day, and I will have the hutzpah to go and run in the morning, as planned...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANNE7X7 8/24/2010 7:26AM

When your life changes like that, you need an adjustment period. Your routine will be different, so give yourself a break and take a few days to get back into it! You are a committed woman, I have no doubt that you will continue to run and eat well no matter what happens! Rest up and keep on trucking!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRITO_PIE 8/24/2010 6:54AM

Ah yes, yesterday was my first day back to school/work as well. Healthy food and exercise were kicked to the curb. To nip this trend in the bud, I exercised this morning before showering. I don't know how I'll feel at 3:30, but I feel great now. You've done great things - you'll find your balance. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 180: New Running Shoes-A Perfect Day!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Yesterday was the last day of the summer break. [Real life starts again on Monday...I am a little nervous about it as usual] and it was a PERFECT DAY:

First run with Garmin at 6 am
Power Yoga [and I did the pigeon! Next hurdle is the half moon, I fell over yesterday!]
30 minutes Spinning and then ST in the afternoon

Great Dinner in a Vietnamese Restaurant. I was hungry!

At night a romantic 2 mile stroll with hubby. No fox but I saw fireflies for the first time in my life, so exciting!

And I bought a pair of Running Shoes! They stand there on my desk in all their potential... waiting with me to see a running future unfold. We have reached the point of no return! I have cornered myself into action with the Garmin, the subscription to Runner's world and now the new shoes!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SARAHLUVBUG 8/22/2010 8:22AM

That is an awesome day! Congrats on the new shoes~ Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE7X7 8/21/2010 12:55PM

You are a MACHINE!! Holy moly! You are just rocking it!! I did the exact same thing with running: invest in it, so there's no going back, and there are no excuses! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOTSACATS 8/21/2010 10:52AM

Oh wow, aren't fireflies awesome? It always makes me feel 10 years old again whenever I see one and want to chase it. (Sometimes I do chase it, and catch it, and then let it go again.) And congratulations on conquering pigeon! I remember how happy I was the first time I did triangle pose with no blocks, I was so proud of myself. You're doing great!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TYGRLILY 8/21/2010 7:18AM

sounds like you indeed had a most awesome day!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 179: Running Lessons...

Friday, August 20, 2010

Anne7x7's blog "What's your motivation to get out and run" and Yoovie's "Action speak louder than anything" had me think this morning.

Me:
I can't walk to the store. It is too far.
I can't run today. It is too hot.
I can't take the stair case. I am in a hurry.
I can't go for the spinning class. I am too tired.
I can't eat the right thing. I had a bad day.
I can't portion my food correctly. I deserve a consolation.
I can't do the yoga tape. I am too lazy.
I can't clean my house. I have worked all day.

And then there is Dick Hoyt out there somewhere pushing his son Rick through another marathon, or Andy Sullman running a marathon. What about Amy Palmiero-Winters running a 100 miles endurance run? Wouldn't cerebral palsy make for a much better excuse than "I had a bad day?" How does "I am too lazy" compare to "I have no leg?"

There is indeed a lot of material to ponder for many more runs. And in case I get through with all those questions I can always look at my food addictions and see how they stack up with the kids dying of starvation in Niger right as we write and read.

Could it just be that running is much more than a matter of food and exercise?
Keep Running! I have an inkling that slowly but surly I might get answers.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EMMALEEANN76 8/21/2010 2:46AM

Yeah, tell me about it. Every time I think about making an excuse for not running I think of that Nike ad (someone busier than you is running right now). No excuses!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE7X7 8/20/2010 4:36PM

This blog really made me think. My excuses and complaining is so pointless and unjust. Thanks for the reminder! You have it dead on! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZIEGREY 8/20/2010 1:32PM

Thank you for this. It puts to shame all the feeble excuses that go through my brain from time to time. Report Inappropriate Comment

CARILOUIE 8/20/2010 1:16PM

There is no comparison between "I am too lazy" and "I have no leg." That sentence made me laugh, and not because it is funny when people don't have a leg, but because here I am, able to afford a gym membership, with all my body parts working, and I have the time, and I don't take advantage of it all the time. Thank you for this thought-provoking blog! Report Inappropriate Comment

*MADHU* 8/20/2010 1:01PM

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Day 179: First Run with Garmin!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Day 179: 179 lb!

From now on the number of days will be bigger than the number of lbs!

My first run with my Garmin [He was wagging his tail big time!]

2 miles
30'
Avg pace: 14.26

I went to the track, walked the first 5' and then ran the rest.

The first mile was a breeze. I ran without ipod, enjoyed the huge trees, and the huge sky. The sunrise was glorious: turquoise, rose, grey, constantly changing watercolors of epic proportions! Scanning the horizon for the fox who I did not see today.

The second mile was a struggle. I had to hold on to my mantra: Wheelchair. Thinking of the alternative to running, and also of the father who runs marathons with his son in a wheelchair. I know from my students that MOTIVATION is everything, and I WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE UP. About 500 yards before the end another runner [hooray! they are rare in my part of the world] overtook me [he was 18 and polite, so I let him!] He was a godsend! I sure latched on to him!

81 degree heat
91 degree humidity
It felt like running in a swimming pool [I will track the time also as water aerobic, LOL!]

Garmin wanted to go on another lap. He was a bit disappointed, but I promised him that I would take him out soon...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANNE7X7 8/20/2010 11:19AM

Way to go, runner! Your Garmin was happy to be taken out, but beware: now you'll have to keep with it, or it'll be sad! Glad you pushed through even if it was a tougher run! They can't all be "easy", right? Keep at it, you rock!! Report Inappropriate Comment

HARMONYBLUE 8/20/2010 10:13AM

I am glad you and you Garmin enjoyed your run. You mantra for motivation reminded me of a poster I saw in a NYC airport last month about "Team Hoyt" It said "Dad's been behind him for 65 marathons. Devotion. Pass it on." It moved me so much, not only to think about how such an awesome dad that helps his son overcome his disability by running with him, but in how lucky I am to be able to run at all. I just kept staring at it near to tears; I'm sure the other people in the airport thought me a little strange. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 177: Running....

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Work starts again in earnest on Monday. I am a bit nervous, which is normal for the beginning of the semester; and way behind [that unfortunately is also normal...]

My brand-spanking-"sparking"-new Garmin is next to me, wagging his tail, ready to run...

"Not today." -He stops wagging his tail and looks at me with big eyes that express unbelief.

"It is too hot..." -He wags his tail again. 'Come on, don't be a sissy!'

"I will run in the gym today." -He looks at me, waiting for more favorable news.

"I will take you out Friday, early morning." Tail wags like crazy.

"Starting from Monday, I will take you out every other day." Woof! He likes that. Or maybe he does not believe me, but I will show him. because....

I Am A Runner!

Even my hubby gets used to the idea. He was adamantly against running for fear of injuries. Two days ago he gets a phone call from his brother who tells him that he has taken up running.... WooHoo!

In the evening when I complain about my "fat legs" and ask him what to do, he goes:

"Keep Running!"

That seems like excellent advice:

KEEP RUNNING!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HARMONYBLUE 8/18/2010 11:48PM

Your Garmin sounds suspiciously like my Cricket. Are you sure they didn't send your a springer spaniel by mistake? Report Inappropriate Comment

ALLTHNGSPOSSBLE 8/18/2010 4:04PM

I agree, keep running! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOTSACATS 8/18/2010 12:57PM

You ARE a runner! And that is definitely great advice: keep running! (Just not while fasting, right?) Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE7X7 8/18/2010 12:55PM

Your hubby is a smart, smart man! Keep going!! You are rocking it, and your Garmin would LOVE to go out with you soon! Don't make the poor thing wait too long!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GETFIT2LIVE 8/18/2010 12:20PM

That is the best advice you can get from anyone--KEEP RUNNING! Whether it's on the road, on a trail, or in the gym, just keep running, because YOU ARE A RUNNER! Do you know the difference between a jogger and a runner? It's the seriousness with which they take the activity. For a jogger it's casual, for a runner it is a commitment and a love. Keep rockin' it! Report Inappropriate Comment