What's a good excuse?

When Annie first started her exercise blog, she did an awesome series on excuses. People will always come up with great excuses to put off exercising until tomorrow. Well, I am currently fighting a moral battle with myself. This morning, I had to go to the dentist because I lost a filling. Well, my quick exam turned into a 1.5 hour root canal. My first. I tried to go back to work after, but realized 1) I couldn't talk, 2) I was a drooling mess, and 3) as the novocain wore off, the pain started. So I promptly went to Walgreens, got my antibiotic and pain med prescriptions filled, and came home. I passed out for 4 hours, waking up to that lovely, swollen, throbbing pain on the left side of my face.

So, now, the question remains: DO I RUN?

There's no time!

I have been up studying since 5:45am. It is now 8:45pm. I haven't showered. I have eaten minimally while reading or cramming facts into my brain. I didn't run, I didn't stretch, I didn't roll out, I didn't lift or do abs. I have been a studying MACHINE.

I feel like Jessie Spano.... "There's no time! There's never enough time!"

Words of wisdom

This little quote just found me out of the blue. So simple, yet so fitting. Just thought I would share...

Smile, breathe and go slowly.
[Thich Nhat Hanh]

My forgetful mind

I got about .5 miles into my run yesterday when I realized I had forgotten to put my ITB Strap on (my mind has been in the clouds lately, what can I say!). I figured I would just keep going, but take it easy. Well, I was feeling kinda mad at myself for the terrible eating I did all weekend, so I pushed myself an extra mile even though I didnt want to press my luck with hurting my knee. So, I ran 5 miles without the strap. It started hurting a bit around mile 4, but it wasn't terrible! I am definitely going to continue to wear it as a preventive measure, but it is good to know that in a bind, if I dont have it, I can still survive a moderate distance.

My friend Rachel signed up to do the CM1/2 also! I am really excited! She has done a few races in the past and is in great shape, so I am excited to share some tag-team motivation for this race! Can't wait to see you, my friend!

8 mile run, 30 days of abs, sweet potato pancakes- OH MY!

Yes. I did it. I ran... no, jogged... no, shuffled 8 miles on Saturday. In the freezing cold rain, nonetheless. That deserves a pat on the back.

I was feeling very apprehensive about the run. I was really worried that my knee would hurt. I dont enjoy having this pain (well, really, who would?), and I dont like how it has made me doubt myself and my abilities. As I have said before- I have no trouble with my breathing, endurance, or fatigue. It is 100% the pain in my knee that is challenging me. And, as Bikram says: YOU CAN MESS WITH THE GODS, BUT DONT MESS WITH YOUR KNEES! I really need to be doing Bikram while I am training- I bet that would do my knee a world of good. But alas, there are not enough hours in the day or dollars in the bank to make everything come together as it should. Whatcha gonna do, right?

I am going to attempt the 9 mile run on Wednesday. I am trying to get a bit caught up with my schedule. The anxiety of not being ready in time is really getting to me, so I want to do my best to get back on track.

The 30 day ab challenge comes to a close today! That really flew by! I am glad Annie could inspire me to add this element to my workout, and I have every intention of continuing with this part of my routine. I really dont SEE any results; but then again, I sure have a lot of padding to protect any new muscle that has formed ;) I can feel that my abs are stronger. I used to struggle doing planks and would have to be on my knees, but now I can be up on my toes and hold for the full minute. So, yes, there is progress. Just not enough to convince me a bikini is within reach- YET!

Eating = out of control. Gotta get myself back on track. I am so close to my goal weight, and I dont want to blow it now. Between my parents visiting and going out to eat a lot more with new friends, I am minimizing fruits/vegetables and overdoing it on carbs and fat. I'll admit it- I am a complete sucker for sweet potato pancakes, and I cannot say no to them. I haven't really been challenge with the social aspect of eating well... I rarely go out to eat, and I am really good about cooking well at home and making good choices. But adding this new social element where eating out is more common is throwing a wrench in my healthy gears. I know it is possible to eat out and still be healthy, but it just isnt something I have completely mastered yet. And it is very hard to plan in advance, as it is often spontaneous and out of the blue. It will be tough, but I know I am capable of getting this behavior under control.

I have so much going on in my life right now, and while I am out of my mind busy, I am, without a doubt, HAPPY. But, have you ever been SCARED of being happy? I kinda am...

Silly running photos....

Photos from the Mayor's Cup 5k last weekend.

Back to reality...

What a fantastic week! I love that I am so close with my parents and that we are truly friends, not just family. Mom and Dad loved Memphis, and we did so many amazing things! Riverboat ride, Zoo, Sun Studio, Beale St, Peabody ducks, you name it... Mom took tons of pictures (since my camera is broken, r.i.p.) so I will post some as she send them to me. It was so nice to share my life with them. I know they worry about me a lot... a new city, a new life, new challenges, and not exactly the easiest ride along the way. But I think they realized how happy I am here and that this is where I belong right now. Of course they want me to move closer to home, but I just need to keep following the path that I am meant to be on.

Dad left this quote on a sticky note on my bathroom mirror. I adore him.

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. [H.D.T., Walden]

So I definitely let myself go while they were here. I ate so much unhealthy food- we went out to eat pretty much every day, and I didn't hold back. But oh man, it was so yummy, and I really can't be mad at myself. I'm back on the WW train today and will get back into my usual healthy habits easily. But who can say no to the mac and cheese at Central BBQ?! And ice cream?! And homemade pizza!?

My running got extremely behind, and I am very upset with myself for this. Since I had the 5k on Sunday, I didn't get to run my usual long run, which should have been 9 miles. I was already a week behind because of that unfortunate loss to the 7 miler a few weeks back, so now I am 2 weeks behind in my training. Luckily, I had built in 2 weeks of flexibility just before the race. I can still increase 1 mile each week and hopefully be ready in time... I kinda had a moment of panic yesterday as I flipped through my planner and realized the race is only 5 weeks away... I got really worried that I will not be ready. I am still kinda anxious, but there is nothing I can do but keep trying, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and enjoy this challenge. Adding stress will not make it any easier. I want to run the whole 13.1 miles, and I am going to do everything in my power to make it to that goal, but I have to take it day by day and try to not put excessive pressure on myself. I will attempt the 8 mile run this Sunday and see how it goes from there. Wish me luck!

Oh! So, after the 5k this past Sunday, I got a free massage. How nice, right? HA! The woman butchered me. She beat me to a pulp. She used this rolling stick thing to rub out my leg muscles. It felt great on my hamstrings and calves and butt (oh yes, an ass massage, love it!)... however, when she got to my IT Bands, whooaaa nelly! She did my right side first (the side that is not hurting me) and she pushed really heard and it was pretty painful. So, when she had me roll over to do the left side, I told her to go easy. She did, but apparently not easy enough. The outside of both of my legs were so tender and so painful... they still hurt. And I have HUGE bruises all along the sides of my legs. It feels and looks terrible. Thanks, lady.

So, back to reality now. But my heart is so full of happiness these days, and my face has a constant smile...

lyrical intervention

Writing a paper for class. Listening to some music. The perfect lyrics always find me when I need them most:

see a mountain, see an ocean, see the years that bring rock and tide together.

"settle down," I said to myself. "things that come with time will always be better."

everyone gets what they want too fast these days; no one knows the way to make things last.

Mayors Cup 5k

Official results

Time: 26:09

Pace: 8:27

2nd out of 31 in my age group

13th out of all women

53rd overall out of 397

Aaaaaaaaaand awesome ;)

45 days until Nashville 1/2 Marathon! Bring it!

Visitors!

My parents arrive today! They are staying for a whole week! I am so excited to see them; we have so much planned and it is going to be a fantastic week. I took a few days off work and the weather is supposed to be beautiful! So excited!

But, having company around definitely throws a wrench in my routine. Granted, mom and dad are extremely supportive and flexible and will make it very easy for me to keep up my good habits. They know I plan on running every day, and some days that may take a good 2 hour chunk of the day. I think eating is going to be a tough one. Even though my mom is a WW graduate as well and we both know that vacation does not mean it's an excuse to binge, I am sure we will be eating a lot more than usual. I plan to take them to all of my favorite restaurants (and of course, they must experience Memphis BBQ, even if I don't eat it!) and I that will test my will-power. But, really, I am trying to not worry about it. If I get off schedule with my running (which I doubt I will) or eat a bit more than usual, it is ok. Life happens, and ya gotta be flexible, right?!

I probably wont update much, if at all, while they are here. But I will be sure to share pictures and stories next week!

Oh, I have another 5k coming up this Sunday. I am really excited to get my parents involved in my new passion, and it will be wonderful to have them at the finish line cheering for me! Should be a blast!