A Little Bit Like Forrest

In sixth grade, I was required to Run The Mile for the first time in my life. I remember being absolutely flabbergasted when Mr. Cifarelli announced that I had completed those four GD laps in 8:08. It had felt like an eternity, and yet I don't remember the run being particularly difficult. Just wait, A.K. It gets worse.

 

At my high school, gym class was only required through 10th grade in order to incorporate Driver's Ed., as well as one last attempt at Family Life. I took Advanced P.E. in 11th and 12th grades for a bit of "exercise." I'm going to use that term loosely, because it was mostly my mouth that got exercise. Even then, we were still required to Run The Mile.

 

During the spring of my junior year, my friend Tiffany and I were positively dreading the mile. She smoked like a chimney, and I wasn't in any kind of shape for "distance" running. We agreed to run the straights and walk the curves of the gravel track outlining the football field. We began at the same pace, but Tiffany took off and I was left in her dust. I think I finished in under 15 minutes, but there were only 2 people finishing behind me. My classmates had been standing around for some time, wondering what was next on the agenda. Big whoop, Troy. I pretty much decided then and there that running was NOT for me.

 

At Longwood, undergrads are required to take one Physical Education course. I picked one my first semester (to get it out of the way) called Basic Activities or some crap. We dabbled in tennis, dodgeball, military drills... whatever whimsical notion crossed my teacher's warped mind. We didn't do much running, so I was off the hook again.

 

When I moved into an apartment for my junior and senior years, I decided--after a few months of prodding encouragement by one of my roommates and a gnawing sense of guilt--to check out the fitness facility the complex offered.

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Small is definitely not an understatement, but it basically suited my purposes. I could crank up Saved By the Bell, crank out a few miles power-walking, and examine the weight machines without feeling scrutinized. I did what I thought was running, but I found out how ill-prepared I was for my sorority's annual Miles 4 Smiles 5k event that my dad "ran" with me during the spring of my senior year. I doubt I even jogged half of the damn thing. I was also foolishly allowing my brain to believe that my body was losing weight and that I was taking care of myself... between bites of thin-crust pineapple and onion Papa John's and sips of PBR.

 

Finally, when I moved into my current apartment 13 months ago, I decided to make permanent changes in my fitness, my diet, and my lifestyle. Things have only gone uphill since! I celebrated every new distance milestone and every new pound lifted. I recorded everything meticulously, and I continually set new goals and challenges for myself. I don't know when one can consider herself "A Runner," but I do know that running is a sport that provides me freedom, pride, health, challenge, and spirit.

Maybe that's what a runner's high truly is -- "I just felt like runnin'." Everyone says I'll know it when I experience it, so maybe I'm looking for it too hard. Maybe I'll find my true runner's high when I least expect it.

 

Until then... have an excellent Thursday, blends!



Wednesday Ramblings

There's a lot going through my head right now. There are two ways I usually organize my thoughts and coordinate inside my head: calling my mom and/or blogging. Today, I chose the latter.

 

I'm reading a 208-page book on how to deal with children who have experienced a traumatic death (it's for my Grief, Loss and Trauma class). It's an excellent book, and it's written mostly in layman's terms -- thank goodness -- so it's easy to follow. One of my best friends, Kristin,

really enjoys studying and researching grief and loss. This book is right up her alley. I can't decide whether it's weird that I'm really enjoying this class and the catharsis it provides. Coincidentally, we're a class of all women with a female professor, so the sharing is abundant and I'm learning a lot of rich information about my classmates. It makes studying tough, emotional material a bit more bearable.

 

I'm over the moon that we've passed mid-September and fall is just around the corner!

When the leaves start changing, everything everywhere is flavored with pumpkin and cinnamon, and there is a crisp breeze in the morning, I'm in my element. It doesn't hurt that some stores are already displaying pumpkins ;)

 

I'm more motivated than ever to hit the gym. My weight loss has peaked, but I feel healthy, strong, energized, and all-around well. My fitness log looks good, too, which is always a bonus in my book.

Also, I befriended a somewhat older gentleman who also frequents the apartment complex gym. He and his wife walk on the treadmill or use some of the weight machines. He's full of stories about the "good old days" when he was a Green Beret. He's also full of tales about his bad knees, his "six-pack-turned-keg," and his multiple back surgeries... Nevertheless, he's very sweet and very encouraging. He says things like, I suppose you're gonna run on that thing, aren't ya? in reference to the treadmill. Or, my favorite, Do you ever leave this place?! I've definitely portrayed myself pretty darn accurately as a crotchety gym-goer who wants to be left alone, but admittedly, it's nice to have someone to talk to for a few minutes.

 

Ian and I have really found our stride with the long-distance, professional-school relationship. We'll be celebrating our third(!!) anniversary in November, 

and things feel stronger than ever. I admit, I had my reservations about the stress, the travel, the constant pre-planning... but I guess The Big Man Upstairs planned for me once again better than I planned for myself.

 

Well, I guess I'm about all rambled out. I hope your Wednesday-slash-National Talk Like a Pirate Day is marvelous :) Ta ta!

2011 Me

Dear 2011 A.K.,

 

You have only just begun your fitness journey. You have so much yet to learn and so many rookie mistakes to make. In 2012, you will still be young and naive, but you will have learned tremendously. For example...

 

There are myriad substitutes for mayonnaise. Don't assume that just because a recipe calls for it, you're obligated to eat lard. Do your research!

 

Blogging will rapidly become one of your best learning tools. Check fellow bloggers' sites daily and comment as often as possible. Remember, blogging is for you, not for your readers. You started a blog to document your healthy living journey, not to develop a posse.

 

You will lose 30 pounds fairly rapidly, and you will want to take a lot of "selfies" from different angles. This is a no-no. These pictures do not need to be displayed for the world to see. Leave the weight-loss fluctuations to Kirstie Alley.

If you drink three-quarters of your bottle of water before your run, you will cramp like a bitch and you will invariably look like you have ants in your pants trying not to fall off the treadmill. Save some H2O for when you really need it!

 

You do not have to get stuck in a fitness rut. So you've discovered that you like running. There's this whole other world called Outside that beckons as you drive 0.5 miles past it to the gym.

 

If you feel like you're about to faint, Stop. Running. You don't have to kill yourself to prove a point. You will accomplish distances that will be sources of great pride for you. Remember also that you do not need others' social praise in order to feel proud of what you have done, though it's always nice to receive. Every new increment is meaningful in and of itself!

 

Hypoglycemia is no joke. Be sure to stash healthy snacks and drinks (that also have a sugar boost) in your car in case of emergency. Or so that you don't hit that "hangry" stage that co-occurs with the "raging bitch" stage. Also, apologize to your mom if you hang up on her in a moment of hanger...

 

Giving up soda was one of the best decisions you ever made. Between V8 juice, skim milk, tea, coffee, and most importantly, good ole water, you don't need soda! (We'll agree to let the summer slide.)

 

You don't need a crazy fad diet to lose weight. Between consciously reading labels, conducting research on nutrition, and experimenting, you've learned more than some silly app ever could have taught you. Plus, you've become self-reliant and confident in your ability to make nutrition fun and tasty.

 

At some point, if you want to lift weights, you just have to dive in and figure out how the machines work. They're not as complicated as they look, the weights will not fall on your toe, and it's not as humiliating as you assume to read the label or follow the picture instructions. I promise, everyone is much more focused on themselves than they are on you fumbling with the multi-press.

 

Don't try to do too much too fast. Getting fit is all about progression. You won't sprout a six-pack or pronounced biceps overnight, but you will begin to notice differences with time.

 

This is probably the most important thing from 2012 that I can share with you--

Stop comparing yourself to others. You may think that some girls emerged from the womb with abs and perfectly straightened hair, but you never know if there may be someone out there admiring you.

 

Do you, girl. You're doing great :)

 

Love, 2012 Me

Training with Dad

My dad is the only person who will train for races with me. I say "races," though the only race I've ever run was the Susan G. Komen 5k back in May.

We have a 5k next month at Smith Mountain Lake, though! I also say "train with me," though we're working separately toward the same goal: finishing in 35 minutes. Initially when Dad suggested this, I thought, uhhh... But honestly, it's the coolest thing ever that he's training for a race that I wanted to run. We were supposed to compete in Color Me Rad, but that's a whole 'nother story. This race is to make up for not being able to compete in that race due to procrastination and full registration.

 

Dad texted me yesterday: Doing a little work for the 5k. Power walk and x-country run. I replied, I ran 2.5 miles today! Look at us training :)

 

I usually finish a 5k run around 39:00 on the dreadmill. Dad had told me that the excitement of the race and my adrenaline would leave me feeling as though 3.1 miles had passed in no time flat, and that I would likely finish under 39:00. He was exactly right! At our 5k in May, I was pleasantly surprised to finish at around 37:00.

 

If it weren't for his enthusiasm and his spirit about staying fit, I doubt I would have enough inspiration within myself to set a lofty goal of finishing in 35:00. Nevertheless, 35 minutes is the goal, and I'm stickin' to it!

This one goes out to you, Dad -- thanks for being my training partner, my race buddy, my cheering section, my supporter and encourager, and my source of excitement about exercise!

 

Now, I just need to muster up the enthusiasm to hit the gym this morning...

 

P.S. What type of goal do you set before you compete? My goal for the Susan Komen race was simply to run the entire distance. Truly, it was one of my proudest accomplishments.

Quin-whoa! Stuffed Peppers

A couple days ago, The Boy texted me asking whether quinoa-stuffed peppers were something I'd be interested in. He said he'd had a random craving for awhile and wanted to know whether I'd be willing to make/eat them when he visited this weekend. No matter the idea, I always get excited about cooking with Ian when he proposes a new idea. I can't say this was one of our healthier meals made together, but a lot of fresh veggies went into the process.

I wish I had pictures of every step of the process -- much to your delight, I'm sure -- but we were in a bit of a hurry because he was heading back to Richmond right after dinner. We kind of needed to just get on with the show, even though I would have loved to post the results of the new food processor my mom got me!

 

We're also not especially great about following recipes... For example, we missed the part about the peppers needing to bake for an hour after we stuffed them. We also began chopping, dicing, mincing, and slicing before we read the complete instructions, which resulted in a bit of panic and a few corners cut. You live and you learn, right?

Happy Sunday, blends.

 

P.S. He found the recipe via Vegetarian Times if you're interested! Even though I'm not a vegetarian anymore, I still buy foods and work from recipes that are almost strictly lacto-ovo-pescetarian because it's what I know. Working on expanding my horizons!