It still goes, it just goes a bit different.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

My training/running has taken a bit of turn in a different direction as of late.  Not off track, just a side track that will hopefully help me meet my running goals in the end.  After suffering from some joint issues, I have decided that before I can up my running distance anymore that 4K that I need to drop a few pounds.  So, enter plan B.  I am now going to do boot-camp training and spin classes until the number on the scale is about 10 to 15lbs lighter.  I know this journey isn't about weight loss (and I want to keep it that way), I do need to shed a few pounds just for practical purposes to be able to build up my distance without wrecking my body.  I am still running once a week though.  Usually between 3 to 4 kms. 

And then to add to this my thyroid is going crazy.  So with Hyperthyroidism thrown into the mix onto plan C... Do all the above mentioned, only do it at a slightly less intensity as to not let my heart beat too fast.  I am having a bit of issue with elevated heart-rate right now, so until that levels off I need to take it a bit easier.  Sigh.

Oh well.  I didn't sign up for this whole gig because I thought it would be easy.  If I need to get down to plan K, plan S, or plan Z in order to navigate this thing I will.

I'll show you where you can put those Doritos...

So yesterday I decided for my first run pushing the stroller.  I bundled up Emily, because dang, it's stinking cold in Red Deer already, and headed to Heritage Ranch.  My plan was to run down the path into the river valley and back up.  I may have cut off more than I could chew as the drop into the river valley at Heritage Ranch is pretty steep, and I was pushing 30 extra pounds,  But hey, why not be ambitious right!?  And I had the most enthusiastic cheering section in town...

albeit a bit sleepy...

So as expected the jog down was easy.  I made it down to the foot bridge in 22 minutes and turned around to make my way back up. 

Let me paint a picture for you.  When I run, it isn't pretty.  I'm like the girl that has people saying, "oooh, poor thing," as I shuffle past.  But I run anyways.  Add to this that I hadn't brushed my hair, was wearing a shirt with paint stains on it along my husband's old work out shorts and I looked like a real PIECE OF PRETTY WORK on those trails.  But who cares right?!

So up the eternal hill I go.  My goal was to jog the entire thing.   Not to walk once.  I set that goal in my head and jogged it at a snail pace, dying/grunting/moaning/etc with each step.  Right around 3/4 of the way up the hill, you know... at that point of exertion when I was going to either poop my pants or barf in the bushes (or both), I notice two young women heading down the hill.  I could see right away from their silhouettes that they were both what some might classify as smoking hot... whatever.  As they passed my sorry sweaty ass though, I further noticed that they were decked out in head to toe coordinating Lulu lemon, were 115lbs each, had on full make-up, and I SHIT YOU NOT FOLKS, were munching on a bag of EFFING DORITOS.

...  ...  (the hamster running on the wheel in my brain spontaneously fell off his little wheel and started twitching in the fetal position.) ...   ...

Universe, are you freaking kidding me?

WTF.

I had a moment where I was this mixed up combination of pissed, entertained, and just plain disgusted.  I couldn't believe they total beautiful irony of that moment as I dragged my chub muffin up that hill grunting like a heffer, and they passed me on the other side fresh as daisies, the perfect fitness magazine image of an "athlete."

But you know what, I decided to just get mad at Mr. Universe for the moment, and I turned the speed up a notch.  AND I RAN THAT WHOLE STINKING ETERNAL HERITAGE RANCH HILL.

And Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum can just kiss my hard-working chubby bum-bum.

 G-night all.

...

...

(ROAR).

A city sky worth running for.

Bump in the road... no prob!

Got ibuprofen?

Missed a run.  I have a head cold that has taken my life hostage.  And a tooth that has cracked in two in my mouth (for the second time... they already tried fixing it once... nope!) and it is making me insanely cranky.  Never fear... I'm just a few days and a tooth extraction away from being back at it!

The first week.

Fall Bliss Out.

This week I ran three times.  All three times were really physically hard, so the wonderful weather made it easier to not grumble my way through the streets and paths of our beautiful city.  I am finding that my joints are suffering a bit from the impact.  Perhaps I need new runners.  Oh no wait, perhaps its because I am running at 198 lbs. 

Riiiiight...

But honestly each run was great.  I'm loving the mental space it gives me.  Being alone with my thoughts is something I need more of.  I am definitely a slow processor.  I don't mean I'm dumb... I just mean it takes me a while to navigate through my thoughts on certain issues or problems because my mind can race a mile a minute most days.  Running slows my brain down a bit and clears the noise. 

And speaking of noise... I also quit Facebook this week.  I have to say, I missed it for about 6 hours, and since then it has been total bliss.  I have no idea what anyone is up to that isn't in my immediate circle... but that's okay!  I get to focus inward more.

Happy trails.

C.

I just felt like running.

I am starting this blog to document a journey I am embarking on.  I am currently at the highest weight I have ever been (not pregnant).  Now having said that let me clarify that this isn't going to be about weight at all (read on), but I do want to become healthier, and perhaps shed a few lbs as a bi-product of this path I am heading down.


In May 2014, I am running a half marathon.

Okay, take a minute, close your gaping jaws, and read on when ready.

I am almost 200 lbs.  Women who are 5'5 and 200 pounds don't run 1/2 marathons.  In fact, they generally don't run at all.  My fight with weight over these past 5 years is really frustrating.  So, so, so frustrating.  I am tired of trying to shed weight.  With my sluggish thyroid and non-resistant metabolism if I eat a pound of something I swear it turns into 2lbs the second it hits my stomach.

So weight goals be damned.  I am setting a totally different goal.  A goal that right now feels COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE.

But that is exactly why I want to do it.  With my body the way it is right now there is no way I would be able to run 21kms.  That is exactly the point.  I want to have a goal this big because even though it feels out of reach, I will get there.  I have overcome some nasty crap in my life... stuff I may or may not go into on this blog, and running 21kms won't come anywhere close to being as hard as some of the hills I have climbed personally before.

So why running?  Why is this my goal?  Because for me walking and running are these beautiful things that are very symbolic of life.  One foot in front of the other.  Highs, lows.  Pains, Endorphins.  Always moving forward.  Not always pretty.  And because I just turned over the big 3-0 this summer and I wanted to make some healthy changes to bring in the new decade.

Today I went out for my first run.  The longest I was able to run for was 4 minutes at a time.  I went for 55 minutes.  Run. Walk. Run. Walk. Repeat.  You get the drift.  It was hard, and pathetic looking I'm sure... but that didn't matter, I loved every minute of it.  And more importantly, I loved myself, and my overweight, achy body for the first time in a long time.  The wonderful body that brought two children into the world, and had all the extra skin and pounds to show for it.  Look at me go world.  I run now.

And I loved the idea of reaching for a lofty goal. 

Maybe I will have to walk a bunch of that Marathon... but maybe I won't.  Who knows where I will be by next May.  But I am excited for the journey that lays ahead of me.    

Last night I was reading my cousin Chelsea's blog.  She just finished an Ultra Marathon.  She lost all her marbles and signed up (and completed) a 100 MILE RUN.  Yes, THAT'S ONE HUNDRED! As in one mile more than 99 miles. 

ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME.

And you know why she did it?  Because she could.  Because she decided to.  I joke that she lost all her marbles of course, she's brilliant and amazing, with a killer smile and million dollar calves.  But honestly Chels, you really inspired me to just decide to DO SOMETHING!  (no matter what it was!)  Something I think I can't do.  And then just go do it!

So here I go.  I'm doing something that feel way too big to accomplish at this point in time. 

So come along for the ride everyone.  I hope you enjoy it!