Resolution Run 5K

 

Earlier this evening I dressed up for the cold, and took part in the Resolution Run 5K. I had made up my mind one hot July day when I was out walking that this was going to be my goal for the year. My BR surgery totally waylayed any kind of preparation after October, apart from a handful of runs between then and tonight. But here I was, ready to meet my challenge to myself, and I DID IT!

I ran down those miles, and those demons of doubt, disappointment and regret. I pushed through. I ran my fastest mile yet, at 11:18 for my mile 3 split. (I love how the Map My Run app breaks down the run into splits and averages and so forth.). That mile hurt! I was keeping pace with another lady, who remained just a few feet in front of me. She was determined to not allow herself to be passed by me. She must have been tired, because she kept alternating between running and walking, but I just couldn't get enough 'oomph' in my step to pass her. It must have spurred me to run as hard as I did.

I reached all of my goals:
1. Finish.
2. Don't hurt myself....Although now, a few hours later, I can't walk.... :/
3. At least pass somebody...and I did! The most gratifying pass was a skinny-little-something that must of had noooo stamina because I passed her after the first mile. That felt awesome. Fitness isn't about how you look, but how well you are conditioned!
4. Finish under 45 minutes. I did! 38:25 was my time. I even had enough left in me to sprint the last little bit.
5. It was a goal to run the entire way. I had a nasty cramp develop under my diaphragm at about 1 1/2 miles, and had to slow to a walk for about a half mile so that it could work itself out. I still feel a bit of pain from it, even now... The good news is that after a short rest it felt better, so I picked up my speed and ran for the rest of the race. I am soooo proud of that. It means more to me than if I had run the whole way.

My goal for this coming year is to run a 10K, and improve my time in the 5K.

I hope you were able to meet your exercise goals this year!

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The best run EVER...

It's been 46 days since my surgery, and 47 days since the last time I ran. That run had been my best run in years! (And, sadly, the farthest I had run in years). I ran just over a mile, and it felt smooth and...loose? The kind of feeling where your stride has a good cadence, you body carriage feels controlled yet you can make minute adjustments at ease... It just felt really good. I think I could have kept going that day.

Yesterday, I finally ran again. It was 32 degrees out. Cold. Like, humid cold. Oklahoma cold. Dean and I were walking the neighborhood, and I suggested running down the length of a long, straight street. We ran. I told him I had to keep it slow - VERY slow, so I wouldn't bounce anything that wouldn't react well to bouncing - like sutures, 6 weeks after surgery.

You know what? Those first few strides hurt. They really hurt. Things moved around a bit anyway. (Note to self - time to get a fitted sports bra in the new size. Not that I know what that size will be, because it changes on a daily basis.). But then after that...it kind of actually felt good. I held my upper body a little tighter than I should.. Maybe squeezed my arms inward a bit to protect what I could...but at the end of the street, I felt like I wanted more.

Dean was cold (silly man - only packed thin exercise shorts), so we swung by the house (the inlaws, where we are staying) and he stayed behind, and I grabbed my headphones. I walked for one song, and then my feet just started running. It was not a conscious decision. I ran, and ran, and ran. It. Felt. Awesome. I relaxed my upper body a bit..and then my arms. Hey!? This actually doesn't hurt! I don't feel bounce! Let me repeat that - I DIDN'T BOUNCE! For a person who is recovering from a breast reduction - this is huge. For the first time in 20+ years, it didn't hurt. It didn't look awkward, feel awkward...I was just your average runner, blending in.

I ran just over two miles. I ran two miles (in addition to the quarter mile Dean and I ran) and I daresay, I could have run more. I had a good pace (10 minute mile), I wasn't cold, the neighborhood streets were quiet, with almost no patches of ice. I got my bearings in this brand new neighborhood our inlaws moved to, and I ran in sort of a circle. I cried the last half mile - tears of happiness, not pain. I felt like I had triumphed over a nasty personal demon that has haunted me for years. I even picked up the pace at the end, for a strong finish.

Since the surgery, I have only seemed to manage three extended walks - each only slightly more energetic than the last. I've had excuses aplenty - pain, discomfort, being sick, too cold outside... So I have lost a bit of the conditioning I had built up since July. But it blows me away that out of the blue I could manage to run so well. I know that the change in altitude from Colorado to Oklahoma has everything to do with it. I plan to continue to take full advantage of it for the rest of our stay.

This also means that running a 5K on NYE is totally feasible - so I'm in!!!!!!

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Weekly Weigh-in: WEEK 12

 

 

Starting weight: 192.0 lbs

 

Week 1 weight: 190.5 lbs (loss of 1.5)

Week 2 weight: 188.0 lbs (loss of 2.5)
Week 3 weight: 187.0 lbs (loss of 1.0)
Week 4 weight: 186.0 lbs (loss of 1.0)
Week 5 weight: 184.0 lbs (loss of 2.0)
Week 6 weight: 181.3 lbs (loss of 2.7)
Week 7 weight: 179.4 lbs (loss of 1.9)
Week 8 weight: 179.6 lbs (gain of 0.2)
Week 9 weight: 179.0 lbs (loss of 0.6)
Week 10 weight: 177.1 lbs (loss of 1.9)
Week 11 weight: 176.0 lbs (loss of 1.1)
(two week break for surgery)
Week 12 weight: 171.6 lbs (loss of 4.4)

Total loss: 20.4 lbs

 

 

Week 1 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 2 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 3 inches lost: 1.25"
Week 4 inches lost: 1.5"
Week 5 inches lost: 1.5"
Week 6 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 7 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 8 inches lost: 0"
Week 9 inches lost: 0.25"
Week 10 inches lost: 1.0"
Week 11 inches lost: 1.0"
(two week break for surgery)
Week 12 inches lost: 3.75"

Total loss: 13.25"

 

Week 1 Steps/Miles: 106,731 / 45.89 mi.

Week 2 Steps/Miles: 109,858 / 48.48 mi.
Week 3 Steps/Miles: 102,225 / 50.13 mi.
Week 4 Steps/Miles/Running: 104,213 / 49.63 mi. walking and 1.6 mi. running!!
Week 5 Steps/Miles/Running: 96,139 / 47.10 mi. walking and 0 mi. running
Week 6 Steps/Miles/Running: 99,991/ 49.01 mi. walking and 0.5 mi. running
Week 7 Steps/Miles/Running: 83,568/ 40.92 mi. walking and 0 mi. running
Week 8 Steps/Miles/Running: 57,164/ 27.99 mi. walking and 0 mi. running
Week 9 Steps/Miles/Running: 77,896/ 38.76 mi. walking and 0 mi. running
Week 10 Steps/Miles/Running: 80,376/ 39.60 mi. walking and 1.9 mi. running
Week 11 Steps/Miles/Running: 49,679/ 24.32 mi. walking and 0.8 mi. running
(two week break for surgery - still on activity restriction for 4 additional weeks)
Week 12 Steps/Miles/Running: 45,651/ 22.35 mi. walking and 0 mi. running

 

Week 1 avg. calorie intake: 1,955

Week 2 avg. calorie intake: 1,621 (much better - I met this week's goal!)
Week 3 avg. calorie intake: 1,823 (yikes!)
Week 4 avg. calorie intake: 1,745
Week 5 avg. calorie intake: 1,579
Week 6 avg. calorie intake: 1,603
Week 7 avg. calorie intake: 1,613
Week 8 avg. calorie intake: 1,539
Week 9 avg. calorie intake: 1,564
Week 10 avg. calorie intake: 1,523
Week 11 avg. calorie intake: did not track
Week 12 avg. calorie intake: did not track

 

Moment(s) I am proud of:

First - Fit bit sent me THIS: :)

Thanks Fit bit! I love the weekly overview emails, and the congratulatory emails you receive when you hit a milestone...

Second, I tried on my wedding dress that I wore on our wedding day - July 24th, 2005. It fit! I weighed 165 then, so I am very, very close. Why did I try it on? Well, I need to wear it in the beginning of December when Dean and I DANCE in the Nutcracker!!!!!! EEEEK! We are playing the part of one of the couples in the party scene in Act 1. The performance attire for the ladies is an evening gown. Technically, that is what my wedding dress is. Since it was my second marriage, I didn't go all out with a fancy gown (been there/done that), so I opted for an ivory cocktail dress with a stoll. Turns out, it is perfect for the performance! Now I just have to figure out how to dance in heels. I've been cooking this up since August, when the plea for parent participants went out to all families of the dance academy, so I knew this was looming. It has been a very good motivator for me, actually.

Third, I'm having to start taking in some clothes. I'm not ready to go out clothes shopping yet. My breasts are still very swollen, and I still have 20 more pounds to go to get to my goal. I may have to go to the second hand store to buy a few things to get me by.

 

Nutritional changes/observations: I am not tracking still... But I need to be. This is the habit that is the hardest to keep going. Water, water, water. I think that the biggest reason I am having an issue with swelling is that I am not drinking enough water. In the 2-3 days after the surgery, I could not get enough. Then after that, I backed off considerably. Not a good thing...

 

 

What hurts: My boobs are still very, very sore. I have paper tape over 80% of my incisions, the rest is still in the process of scabbing up. Everything is closed up so I don't have any more seepage, but some of the scab areas are quite large - dime size. I don't react well to paper tape - there is something in the adhesive that irritates my skin, so I will need to go back to the PS tomorrow to purchase some scar serum that they recommended. If I use that serum, I don't have to wear the tape. I did go without the tape a day ago, and I felt ....vulnerable?? Like if I stretched above my head I would rip something open. There are also bruises still fading and new ones appearing, so I feel tender. I officially 'walked' twice last week. The first one, at the beginning of the week was a rather short one - I got tired very quickly, and the second sports bra was adding an incredible amount of uncomfortable compression. My second walk was yesterday, and it felt much better. I noticed no 'huffing' in my breath as I moved. Before, the boob bounce would actually make me huff with each step. Now there is nothing!! :)

 

 

Confessional: Halloween Candy? The good thing is that I have not purchased ANY! (self back pat...) The bad thing is I was with my family last night watching my nephew in a marching band competition, and I was downing candy right and left every time a bag was passed down the row. I completely ignored the snacks I brought with me to avoid the candy in the first place...

 

 

Deep thoughts from exercise delirium:

 

 

My goal for next week: Get a walk in - no matter how short - every day.

 

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Blood, Sweat and Tears

 

I took my first tumble this morning.  I say 'first' because I am clumsy, and I am sure there will be more...  I was nearing the end of my walk/run, where I run down a long straight street for a half mile, then pass through a walkway and turn a sharp corner onto a busy street to head for home.  I was at the end, making my turn when my right foot hit a tuft of grass near the edge of the sidewalk and down I went.  Left knee down, both hands bracing me, chin hit the pavement and my right leg swung upward towards the sky because, you know... I was running.  The momentum was hard to stop - I almost did a somersault.  So here is the damage report: scraped palms, skinned left knee, torqued back from the leg swing, my recently operated-on shoulder took a lot more shock absorption then it should have, and a scraped chin from kissing the pavement.  Everything hurts.  But I am happy.  I didn't tear my running pants.  I would have been all kinds of pissed if that had happened.  I also kept running.  I petted the dog, assured her that she was not at fault, got up and ran some more.  Another half mile!  That is the furthest I have been able to make it yet!

 

Thank god tomorrow is a rest day...

Weekly Weigh-in: WEEK 4

 

 

Starting weight: 192.0  lbs

 

Week 1 weight: 190.5 lbs (loss of 1.5)

Week 2 weight: 188.0 lbs (loss of 2.5)
Week 3 weight: 187.0 lbs (loss of 1.0)
Week 4 weight: 186.0 lbs (loss of 1.0)

Total loss: 6 lbs

 

 

Week 1 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 2 inches lost: 0.75"
Week 3 inches lost: 1.25"
Week 4 inches lost: 1.5"

Total loss: 4.25"

 

Week 1 Steps/Miles: 106,731 / 45.89 mi.

Week 2 Steps/Miles: 109,858 / 48.48 mi.
Week 3 Steps/Miles: 102,225 / 50.13 mi.
Week 4 Steps/Miles/Running: 104,213 / 49.63 mi. walking and 1.6 mi. running!!

 

Week 1 avg. calorie intake: 1,955

Week 2 avg. calorie intake: 1,621  (much better - I met this week's goal!)
Week 3 avg. calorie intake: 1,823 (yikes!)
Week 4 avg. calorie intake: 1,745

 

 

Moment I am proud of: Running! Bounce be damned - when the mood strikes, I'm running.  I ran 0.5 miles as part of my walk three days in a row.  That is about all I can manage right now, without passing out.  But I'm doing it!  I am also celebrating 30 straight days of exercising and breaking a sweat - on average 45 minutes per day.  I don't feel 'right' until I've had my walk.

 

 

Nutritional changes/observations: No real changes this week.  On the days that I exercise in the range of 60 minutes, I do take in closer to 1800-1900 calories, and less on the days when I am in the 30-45 minute range.  I've also noticed that my stomach has shrunk considerably - smaller meals in greater frequency is what I am trending towards.  I have also noticed that I prefer that slightly hungry feeling now, over feeling full.

 

 

What hurts: The bursitis in my right hip is rearing it's ugly head, but I am working through it.  It mostly bothers me when I get up first thing in the morning, and then when I get up from sitting longer than 10 minutes.  I am also having issues with my right arch, despite the orthotics.  It might be time to revisit the doctor and get refitted.  I find it amusing in the morning, when Dean and I hobble around for the first couple of minutes of the day.  I hope we never have to fly out of bed in an emergency...we wouldn't be able to move very fast!

 

 

Confessional: A single dip of chocolate-orange Walrus ice cream.  And you know what?  It didn't even taste that good... :(  At a whopping 400 calories, it was. not. worth. it.

 

 

Deep thoughts from exercise delirium: Since I am actively exercising now and more attuned to it, there seems to be an awful lot of backlash on Facebook about women starving themselves and punishing their psyche just to be thin(ner).  I don't feel that I am punishing myself.  I don't deprive, I don't give in to negative self-talk and what I am doing feels right.  FOR ME.  That's right, it's allllll about me.  :) 

 

 

My goal for next week: I met my goal for last week!  I dropped another pound, and my BMI adjusted downward from the 'obese' range into the 'overweight' range.  Yay!  My goal this week is to run that 1/2 mile stretch for 4 days, and to purchase an exercise ball, and begin working with it.  The kids popped my last one.

So happy to be overweight!

 

I did it! The scale hit 186 and I dropped down into a whole new color range! It will take another 25 lbs before I reach the 'normal' BMI range. But that's far down the road. Today I celebrate the end of my obesity!

And not with a hot fudge sundae... ;)

But with a pair of these:

Skirt Sports: Lotta Breeze Capri

Happy Birthday to me! (Thank you mom and dad for the birthday $$!)

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