Groove is in the Heart

Actually, the groove is not in my heart. But that's where I want it to be. I've been plodding along doing treadmill running for the past 3 weeks. I feel good that I'm getting it done, but I'm really not pushing or trying anything new, which is what I feel ready to do. I want to start running outside so much. I just know that everything will be as it should be when I can get out an run. Hopefully that day will be Saturday.

What a difference a day makes. Or a good run. The above was written Tues. morning. The following is being written Wed. morning.

The groove IS in my heart. I went to the Metrodome running again last night and did 3.2 miles at a pace of 11 min/mile. In the immortal words of L.L. Cool J - "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." I don't really doubt that I'll be able to get my running mojo back after the winter break I take, but it can be disheartening to struggle through runs when you remember where you left off. Running just felt really good and when I tried to pick up the pace, my body delivered. It's was like I remembered that I can handle uncomfortable for a period of time. Funny, because I tend to be a complainer. Except recently I'm trying something new. It's called Not Complaining. So, I just said "Hey, this is uncomfortable, I'm breathing really hard." And then I kept going until I felt I had overcome my quitter voice. At least for that particular moment.

Ooooh! I just thought of this. What if every time I think I can't make it, I vow to do more. 1 more minute, one more sprint, 1 more rep....whatever. Novel idea! Think of the gains I will make. I'm gonna try that. Did I just invent that? Because that seem genius to me! :)

I still need to take this training outside. I push myself more when I'm outside. I feel better and refreshed when I can get out. Still hoping for Saturday. 4 miles. But first one more treadmill workout on Thursday. I'm going to only do 2 miles of intervals or speed or something to kick it up during that time.

The Appointment

Yes. It was the day I've been waiting for. The day of the appointment for my dress alteration. I was so excited to get to the place and put the dress back on. I love wearing that dress. I just can't believe how much I love wearing it. One day will not be enough time in that dress.

Did it fit? Did I lose the weight?

Yes and no. It fit like it did when I bought it, but that's as good as it got. It didn't fit any better. But ok. No problem. It looks good on now. I still have 7 weeks left and any amount of weight I lose will just be icing. I have two more appointments for alterations which is weird because they really aren't doing that much but I guess you have to go back in to make sure what they did do is ok and then they finish it up. That just means that I have two more appointments to use as milestones and two more reasons why I have to put my dress back on. I'll probably wear it to clean the toilets and fold laundry in it after we are married.

I've felt good this week because I scheduled workouts and I did them. Amazing how simple that is yet I struggle with it all the time. Why do I complicate things so. Our egos get in the way of what should be the easiest of concepts with over analysis, emotion, judgement and doubt. I've got to shut myself up at times and focus.

Wedding Stuff

I bought my fiance a wedding ring on Saturday. On Valentine's Day. What a great experience. I find myself getting emotional over all kinds of random things. I cried when he tried on the tux jacket. I cry in church at various moments when I think about our wedding happening there. And I teared up when we found "The Ring" for him. There are so many moments that just feel right when you know you are making the right decision or found the right thing at the meaning behind everything. And those moments just hit me like a ton of bricks. Sometimes I just look at him and get that flood of emotion because I know things are so very right and the magnitude of it all is overwhelming.


We have registered, we have all the important professionals hired. We have a cast. Shoes, dress, hair stuff and veil, appointments - all done. Invitations sent (RSVP coming back!), thank you cards at the ready and we both have rings. There doesn't seem to be much to this wedding planning thing. Maybe we are having a simple wedding. It feels kind of simple - but that's good. That's how we want it.

Seven weeks until the big day. Seven. It seems like an eternity. Ok - exaggeration, I know. But I want to be married. I don't want to have to leave at the end of a good day and go back to my apartment. I don't want to have to wonder if I left my book at his place or spend the day painting one place just to go home a clean another. Just one life. That's what I want. All in good time. It's coming I know, but the kid in me says "NOW!!!", amongst other things.

We are doing well.

Me and the Metrodome

I have loved going to the Metrodome since my first trip to see the Twins play. I think it was the crowd. Coming from a town of 150 people in South Dakota, I had never seen so many people at once. It was a big deal to go to a Twins game. A real treat. I've been to Twins games, I've been to a Vikings game. I was on the big jumbo tron once. I've huddled inside on a brisk morning waiting for the start of the TC 10 Mile, and I've been blown out the door several times because of the air pressure holding up the dome roof. That's a fun part. I've seen N*Sync there, and a monster truck jam, accidently walked into the men's room and even ran around and around for exercise. And now, last night, I went rollerblading there.

This was a big deal because since I was a little girl I've thought about how fun it would be to rollerskate around the dome. It has flat seamless (well almost) floors and it goes on for miles. At least it seemed like miles when I was a kid. Turns out 2.5 laps is a mile, but whatever. Well it was what I had always dreamed. So much fun. So much room! I've know you could do this for a while, but this was the first time I tried it. I love going to the Metrodome. I recommend rollerblading there during the winter.


As far as a workout update goes, I did do the rollerblading obviously. And last night I went for a run. Did the scheduled 2 miles. Did not get in the yoga I had in mind. I did about 10 minutes and called it a day.

I'll round of the week after work tonight with the Head to Toe and 10-20 minutes of cardio, then head out to meet some friends in Uptown.

Side comment, I do love the dome, but the new stadium look FANTASTIC! Can't wait to watch the Twins there.

Exercise Log - #1

Here is a quick update to log my exercise:

Yesterday I did run 2 miles. Time:23:21, irrelevant really but whatever.

This morning: Head to Toe workout (from Fitness magazine) - 30 minutes. It was actually an ok workout. I was sweating so that's seems good.

Tonight: Scheduled to Rollerblade at the Dome with my aunt, but the weather may impede our plans. If that falls through, I'll be at the gym on an elliptical machine for about 30 minutes.

I feel so much better when I am "doing" instead of "planning"!

Priority Numero Uno

ME!

I need some workout time. I need to create some workout time. Next week I have no real commitments (except my dress alteration appointment!) to speak of and I'm gonna keep it that way. Evenings will be free and clear to workout until my heart desires.

Tonight: Run 2 miles
Wednesday: Head to Toe Toning in the AM, rollerblading/elliptical in the PM
Thursday: Yoga in the AM, Run 2 miles in the PM
Friday: Head to Toe Toning in the PM
Saturday: Run 3 miles
Sunday: Snowboarding

Fun and purposeful.

I'll have to print this out and stick it in my planner.

A Proper Rebuttal

My best friend Tara is coming to visit this weekend from New Mexico to help with wedding stuff. Mostly I think this will consist of a lot of shopping. I'm really looking forward to some time alone though. Those days of being carefree teens and young adults are far behind us. We're both at great spots in our lives with great spouses/fiances and families, but sometimes, a girl needs her friends. I do have amazing friends. I'm just specifically talking about her becauase these girl times come few and far between these days.

She posted some memories in her blog yesterday about things she "remembers". Ok. So they are true, but I only punched her because we were punching each other. You know. For practice. Here are some things I remember.

1. Her response to me wanting to cut my (loooooong) hair "I think we could just braid it and cut at the base." We did. And, no. You can not.
2. Going for walks on our well beaten "trath" during an OAFC retreat.
3. Her lending me paper in Algebra III & Trig after I ran out mid-semester and refused to restock because I was a senior and didn't think it was worth it.
3a. Our 5 minute homework assignments in said math class.
4. The time at Subway when we opened one Sunday and the owner walked in and found us in the back room sitting on the floor eating a bag of Cheetos.
5. And her rushing in a panic around the Subway store when I gashed my finger open to find the first aid. She yelled "I'll save you!!!"

And many more.......

5K Training Day 1

Today I got to work and, ug; I look stupid. And the morning started off so well. I reluctantly got out of bed after wondering if Allison would believe that I over slept because of an alarm malfunction. I decided that would be deceitful. So we did make it to the gym and I ran two miles. I’m on an official 5k training plan starting today. Turns out I can in fact run 2 miles continuously, even on a treadmill. I probably could go more, but I like the idea of easing back into it. I have the time and I am enjoying it so why rock the boat. It’s not like the 5k is in 2 weeks.

Getting back to why I look stupid. I’m wearing smart navy pants and a soft ivory turtle neck with delicate buttons on the sleeve for the perfect understated accent. My hair is pulled back into a tidy ponytail and my makeup is subtle with warm brown tones. When I stand in one spot I look put together. When I walk on the other hand. My pants are a little on the short side and I wore mules I guess you call them. I also wore ivory trouser socks with the shoes and it just looks stupid when I walk. It’s sort of the Michael Jackson effect with black pants and white socks. And that fact that I look stupid caught me completely off guard. I left the house thinking all was well. I guess that makes it even more disappointing. I hate when I do that. Then I feel uncomfortable all day. Well, at least until lunch.

Just some thoughts from right now

I found a new inspirational quote while researching my next Toastmaster Speech today:

"Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat."-- Theodore Roosevelt

That’s my new 2009 running quote.

I have these grandiose visions about how I am going to start running longer distances earlier on in the season so that I can maintain my weekly range but build speed sooner and quicker. Faster, better, stronger, quicker, longer, funner. Sorry, but ‘more fun’ just didn’t go with the list of adjectives I was listing. Then, by the end of June if my base is solid and I decide that I want to run a marathon in October, I’ll be totally ready and won’t have to train for the training.

My first race this year is going to be the Irish for a Day 5K on March 14th. Yes. I need to train back up to a 5k. But rest assured I am on a plan. I’ll be ready in no time. Better than before. Then I’ll do a 10-Mile at the end of May. April is gonna suck - except that I’m getting married!!! So when I say suck I mean running wise. But I’ll hardly care about running when I’m walking down the aisle or gallivanting through Ireland on our honeymoon where I plan on drinking lots of beer. Not because I want to be drunk, but because I want to try all different kinds of things. And that’s what the Irish do. They drink. I’m Irish so I can say that. (No I’m not).

I’ve got two weeks to get back to my wedding dress purchase size. That equates to 2.6 pounds. It’s gonna happen and would be even cooler to lose 3-4 pounds. At my weight watcher meeting the other day the leader made comments about how we go out to eat with people and lets say they order a burger and fries. The natural reaction, which is sometimes my reaction, is to wonder why I can’t eat that. Why I can’t be like them and be normal (aka thin) and eat burgers all the time. That’s where we fool ourselves though. Most “normal” people don’t eat burgers all the time and stay healthy. Sometimes I am that person who eat a huge meal and maybe people who don’t know me wonder how I do it. Little do they know I’ve been cutting back all week for this meal. Or maybe I just ran a ½ marathon that day. You don’t know me. You don’t know what people are doing unless you are with them for every meal. Things I would like to hear less of:

I’m going to try.
Normal.
I’m tired.
Why can’t I……
I wish I could….or I can’t…..

Life is not fair. Dieting IS cutting back. Maintaining is where the lifetime change is. I’ll forever be doing less than I want UNTIL I decide and accept that the less IS what I want.