Bragging is ok from time to time, right?

I stuck with 4 miles today because I didn't want to push it and hurt myself. I have been using the ITB strap, stretching, and using the foam roller daily, and I hope it is helping... it seems to be. It still hurts, but not nearly as much. Fingers crossed...

Ummmm I am really happy. Like, seriously happy. It is the most wonderful feeling. Just wanted to throw that out there.

So, I am not really one to do the whole "post pictures of my progress" thing. But, today I just have to brag a bit. I have a full length mirror that faces me as I walk in to my bedroom; today, after my run, I was walking into my room and I just stood and looked at myself. I don't know if it is my beloved "just noticeable difference" hitting me or what, but I thought to myself, "Damn, Amy... you look smokin' hot!" So here I am...

Have a smokin' hot Sunday, everyone!

Revenge on the 7 miler...

Wake up happily on my own at 7:30am. Set out on what is meant to be a 4 mile run. Beautiful day, sun is shining, sky is the bluest blue. I just kept running. I made it 7 miles. It felt amazing. My knee hurt, but I just kept going, I couldn't stop. It was perfect. Take that, 7 mile run.

Sitting outside on my porch enjoying a beer and the sunshine.

I'm beautiful when I'm awkward.

Cute boys work at Fleet Feet

Just sayin'.

I went to Fleet Feet yesterday and got a foam roller. When I got home to try it out, I was amazed at how much it hurts! I rolled ONCE and immediately hopped off. I did not like it. But, it is supposed to be a huge help for IT Band issues, so I will suck it up and use it. I also ordered a better IT Band strap- I can't find anywhere that sells good ones around here. That should be coming in the mail tomorrow. $60 later, I am prepared to show my IT Band who's boss. I wont go down without a fight! Ahhh!

I ran 6 miles yesterday. At mile 4, I hurt. At mile 5, I hurt a lot. Not as much as I did on Sunday, not enough to make me walk, but enough to give me a noticeable swagger with my already t-rex like gate. Ice ice ice, stretch stretch stretch, I know the drill.

30 day ab challenge is going well. I am sore, but in a really good way! I hope that after these 30 days, I stick with it and continue this daily routine... Ha, I say that now.

Let's fix this

I just now realized I don't have a countdown going... 52 days!

My friend Sarah read my previous post and came running (haha) to the rescue. She has had issues with her IT Band in the past as well, and she gave me some great advice. Thank you so much, Sarah!

I got an IT Band strap. Thank you to the helpful videos on YouTube for showing me how to put it on... yea, I am that clueless. Today was the first day I ran with it. I also took some ibuprofen before my run to help with any inflammation. From what I could tell, the band helped relieve the pain. It was feeling fine until about mile 3; around that time, I could feel just a dull pain, nothing bad at all. By mile 4, it was hurting a little bit more; uncomfortable, but not unbearable. So, I guess I get to wear that sexy black band on my left leg from now on. I also have lots of stretches to do (why is it so hard for me do be a disciplined stretcher?!) and I am going to get a foam roller tomorrow.

Hopefully now that I know what the problem is, I can nip it in the butt before it kicks me to the curb. I refuse to give up, but I also don't want to be in pain or hurt myself. I tackle another 6 miler tomorrow, wish me luck!

7 miler: 1, Amy: 0

I have been running for 3 months now. During those 3 months, I have never walked during a run. No matter what the distance, conditions, weather, you name it- I have never walked. Until yesterday.

So it was my first day to run 7 miles. I was feeling slightly timid about it, but just kept reminding myself that it is only 1 mile more than the distance I have comfortably run 3 times already. So while it was slightly intimidating, I knew I could do it.

My breathing was fine- I wasn't out of breath, I wasn't struggling at all in that sense. Endurance was fine- my muscles didn't hurt and I felt like I and the energy to continue forever. The problem: my knees. The ITB on my left knee, and some new pain in the back of my right knee. It was dull at first, but after about 4 miles, it was impossible to ignore. I got to 4.5 miles, and my knees just gave out. I couldn't do it. I was in so much pain, it was unbearable. I stopped and stretched for a few minutes, hoping maybe that would help the pain. I started jogging again, and nearly face-planted on the sidewalk. It was like nothing I have ever felt before. So.... I walked.
All.
The.
Way.
Home.
2.5 miles.
Defeated. I was so upset. So sad. It was the longest walk of shame of my life. I tried to jog a few times here and there, but after just a few paces, the pain was back to an unbearable level. I was completely defeated.

When I got home, I just got right in the shower and cried. It was the first time since I started this challenge that I felt that perhaps my goal is unobtainable. Maybe my body isn't cut out for this. Maybe I wont make it. It is the worst feeling ever.

March 6th

Let it be.

I'm having fun!

I had a fantastic night last night. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time- I really enjoyed myself. I am so glad that I am putting myself out there, dating, meeting new people, and having a killer time. It is wonderful to spend time with people that make me smile and know how to treat me well.

Unfortunately, fun nights usually make for lazy mornings. Or in my case, lazy entire days. I did nothing today. Complete waste of space. And in the back of my mind the whole time was, "Shoot, I really have to run... yea... reeeeaaaaally should go run now. Any minute now. Yup." It got to be about 5:30 pm and I still hadn't gone. At the risk of sounding like a 5 year old, I just didn't wanna! Plus it was a yucky rainy day which not only didn't help the intense case of laziness, but also meant I would be hitting the treadmill rather than the road. But, alas, I went. Ran AND did abs. I love how even on days when I am lazy and not wanting to go work out, I always feel great after I do. I enjoy working out. Like I have said before: I always regret not going, but never regret going.

So, here's to having fun and still sticking with my challenges!

Exhasuted.

I think everything is starting to catch up with me: work, classes, running, stress, etc... I am beyond exhausted. It hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday evening. Wow.

Another one bites the dust

Well, another pair of work pants will be retired to the "keep these in the back of the closet because I like them too much to part with them" pile. I know it is best to get rid of clothes that are too big because if you have them, it is "ok" to gain weight because you will have clothes that fit. Well, while that theory makes perfect sense, I am a clothes hoarder (admitting it is the first step, right?) and I refuse to get rid of them.

I have only lost a total of 13.2 lbs, but my body has completely changed due to my running. Fat has turned to lean muscle, and I am more toned. So while the scale isn't showing any drastic changes, my clothes are fitting in a way that makes me enjoy picking out something to wear in the morning! I still have work to do, and I am not exactly where I want to be yet, but seeing/feeling progress is a huge motivation!

One of the classes I am taking this semester is Intro to Nutrition. I am taking it 1) because I am a nerd and have always wanted to take a course on this subject, 2) the research I am doing at work looks at how nutrition affects cognitive development, and I thought learning more about this topic would be a tremendous help, and 3) it is free (thank you, UTHSC employee benefits!). I have learned so many interesting things in this class, and my lifestyle and diet have really changed over the past month. Being both a vegetarian and a Weight Watchers member, I already have some knowledge on making smart choices, but this course has really opened my eyes to a lot of interesting things I never knew. Now, life is a tad too busy right now to write all that I want to share about my new nutrition knowledge, but mark my word: I will post an informational blog on what I have learned so anyone needing some guidance in building a healthier diet can learn a thing or two. Mostly, I am just a nerd and I want to show off my new smarts.

Words of wisdom

Today (and last night) was just one of those days where you wonder if karma is just playing a big joke on you and enjoying watching you deal with the silliness it throws your way. Nothing bad, just plain silly. I swear, this city gets smaller and smaller with every passing day, and the trials and tribulations of my bumblings through life here get more comical as the clock ticks. I kid you not: if you are smart, you will begin jotting down the blunders of my life and making a movie. You will one day be a millionaire.

After this pure wave of silliness, a friend pointed something out to me that really hit me: When you're good with you, I guess it's just irresistible!

I had to read this about 10 times to fully understand what my friend was going for here, but when it hit, it was like a blue sky after a storm. Most of my life, I have put a great deal of effort into trying to get others to like me... so much so that I would overlook myself and doubt myself. Now don't get me wrong, I have done my fair share of trying to get others to like me over the past few months. But it wasn't until recently (well, more specifically, the past month or so) that I really have tried to just be content with who I am and where I am going. While I have put continued effort into relationships with others, I have begun to realize why past relationships have failed. I have realized that I really am amazing. I am awesome. I am intelligent, smart, and compassionate. I have become a lot more comfortable in my own skin... or in my friend's words, I have grown to be "good with me." And I deserve nothing but the best. I deserve equal and/or greater awesomeness. I refuse to accept anything less. This wave of self-confidence must be showing, because it is getting the attention of others. I have always heard that confidence is attractive, but I guess it is one of those things you must see to believe.

Anyway, yet another one of my more abstract ramblings that I throw out there every now and then. Point of the story: I am amazing, and don't you ever forget it.