Running...a forced perspective

My sister is strong-arming me into writing a post about my running so she can link her post on her blog about running to mine. I initially told her "no", but here I am, we'll see what I can come up with...

Running. It is a secret dream of mine to be a runner, not unlike my secret desire to be a beautiful singer. However, becoming a runner is something that could actually become a reality...the singing, not so much, at least without a voicebox transplant (I still pretend on Sunday mornings when I belt out worship songs amongst the other 2,000 singing and think myself amazing. :))

I was always a power walker after all my babies were born. I literally power walked my butt off through the neighborhood with first a single stroller, then a double stroller, and even a couple desperate times, a double stroller and a baby bjorn strapped to my body (don't recommend that).

A couple years ago my sis-in-law and sister both took up running and I got inspired. On a visit to MN the summer of '07 my sil diligently came to get me every other morning at 5:30am to run about 4 miles. I begged her to show me mercy, but she was ruthless. I amazingly adjusted to pushing my body past its cardiovascular and physical limits, and could pump out 4 miles by the end of the 2 weeks there. There was that nasty little pain in my left ankle every time, but whatever...

When I got home I continued running and felt like such a champion to be able to run for 40 min without stopping. I bought some new running shoes, thinking it was my inadequate shoes that kept my ankle hurting and kept at it despite the pain. The end of the line was a trip up to the Jersey shore, where, one day into our vacation I pushed myself 3 miles on the hotel treadmill and could barely hobble back to my room when I was done. I spent the rest of the week at the beach and on the boardwalk all taped and wrapped up, iced, and ibuprofen/percocetted (is that a word) while trying to enjoy the beach and the boardwalk.

When I got home the writing was on the wall...a broken ankle. A stress fracture, likely from poor shoes and to quick a build up. I just can't do anything half ass (can I say the "a" word here?) I feel like, what is the point of only running a mile, what good is that going to do me? Anyway, I spent 6 weeks in a boot cast and by then it was late fall and I just couldn't get motivated to start running again.

Lets fast forward, shall we, this is getting a little boring isn't it?

So there has been no exercise to speak of on any consistent basis since the broken ankle incident, and 15 mysterious pounds and quite a bit of jiggle has been left in its wake. I made the cliched new years resolutions on Jan. 1 and started running again and watching what I eat.

Here I am mid Feb and I have managed to lose 6 lbs and work my way back up to running 4 miles in about 40 min without stopping, and I like to powerwalk another 20-30min to finish up a full hour. I am satisfied with getting out every other day. I am also trying to incorporate some strength training and my girlfriend has shown me some exercises to do at home with free weights and an exercise ball. Can't say I am very consistent on that, I am just glad I am running with a little consistency so far.

Food has been a greater issue. When my kids were babies, I just never thought about food or snacking. I was a naturally healthy eater and just ate to live, at the appropriate meal times. I don't know what has happened in recent years, but man, I struggle with wanting to snack all the time! I have to virtually eliminate all my favorite naughty foods from my life because I am not one that can just eat one or two of something dastardly like a lushious block of extra sharp cheddar cheese, or a bag of Cape Cod Potato chips....yummy!!! Pizza is NOT my friend. Nor is anything salty/crunchy or savory like olives. I can avoid most sweets with no problem, but you won't find me baking chocolate chip cookies because I tend to bathe myself in the batter and only end up with 7 actual baked cookies for my efforts. :)

So I have started logging on www.myfooddiary.com in order to realistically see what I shove into my mouth every day and keep myself in check. There are plenty of delicious, healthy things to eat, but man, sometimes I just miss downing half an appetizer order of chips and artichoke dip!

My goal is April 1 to be a consistent runner and down 15 lbs. My reward is a night in a nice hotel all by myself with no children, messy house, husband. Just me, myself, and I, room service, magazines, quiet, sleep, and maybe a massage thrown in.

There, Non, here's your post, are you happy now?