Pumpkins in the Park 2012 Recap

Ran my second Pumpkins in the Park 5K yesterday. This was the first race I ever ran when I did it last year, and it was fun to run it again already knowing what the course had in store for me. I ran it a little slower than last year (44:23 this year, 42:18 last year) but this is the cost of not running all summer. Still, I had fun, I had a cute costume, I got out for a run and over all had a good day. And some day I will remember to take more pictures of things to add to my blog but as I forgot again, here is the one picture of me in my costume after the race :)

I received many compliments on my tutu, and I was quite proud that I made it myself. I have one planned for my Turkey Trot in brown and orange and another for the It's a Wonderful Race in red and green :).

Anyone else get out and race this weekend?

Running Buddies

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I have not been running. Considering that I have a race in 9 days that is not a good thing. But after applying for jobs today, I came home and decided to go for a 3 mile run with my boys before dinner. Running buddies make all the difference.

The Monkey, Running Buddy #1 (always tries to get me to go on late night runs).

 The Moose, Running Buddy #2 (any run over 1 mile and he falls asleep)

We did a pretty fast 3 miles considering the hills and the 100+ lbs of stroller and kids. I am hoping to get a job soon - talked to a staffing agency today - but the best ones will require an 1.5hr one way drive. I am more than willing to do it, but it means that I am going to get my butt out of bed at 4 every morning if I want to run outside.

 Me, after a 3 mile run, feeling fantastic!

I also need to be more dedicated and consistent in my runs. I need a gigantic in my face push every day. So I decided to take my window crayons and write my running schedule for the next few days. I know the monkey will look at it when he gets home from school and if I have not checked off my run, he will want to go with me. I am going to write strength training on the other window.

3 miles down this week, 10 more to go.

Run Your BQ

So I signed up for Run Your BQ - a program designed by Strength Running's Jason Fitzgerald and No Meat Athelete Matt Frazier. I am miles from a marathon or an actual BQ race (Boston Qualifier - as in qualify to run the Boston Marathon) but I like the idea of having real running coaches helping me refine my training and design a plan that suits my needs. Someday a BQ and maybe even Boston itself will be in my future, and I believe that it's never too easy to prepare and plan!

With that in mind I did a 2 mile run tonight under the beautiful full harvest moon. The night looked so inviting that I had to go out and commune some with nature. Let the Goddess light my way and lift my feet, connect with my spirituality in one of my favorite places. It felt good. I felt good. And I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow.

The struggle continues

I still want a cigarette, but it is not so bad anymore. I have made through the most difficult first three days, and I know I will make it through the rest. Now I need to run. I need to really run, to get back into the groove of running or run/walking 3-5 days a week. I need to be strong and find a strength training program that does not bore me so I can stick with it.

I think I have found a job. Certainly not what I wanted to be doing, but good enough for now, and something I would not feel bad about leaving in 10 months or less if I get the chance to teach somewhere.

I need to train. I am running 4 races this fall. a 10K 10/20/12 in PA & a 5K in Rochester (October), a 4M in Webster (Thanksgiving), a 5K in Seneca Falls (December). I want to stay busy and strong and healthy. So I will struggle on to find my groove of health and happiness.

I want a cigarette.

I quit smoking 4 years ago when I got pregnant with the moose. For years afterwards the smell or taste or even one drag off a cigarette would make me nauseous.

And then I moved to New Orleans without my family. A month of stress and schools and more stress, and a night out with a couple of fellow teachers and I bought my first pack of cigarettes in 4 years. And then I kept buying. Add more stress of losing my job and coming back to New York... I really want a cigarette. But the Monkey did not like to see me smoking. I did not like smoking in front of him. So I promised him I would finish my pack and there would be no more cigarettes. Mommy would not smoke anymore. About 18 hours in, and I really want a cigarette. But I do not have any. I will not go to the store to get any. I will not "bum" one from anyone. I know a few days of cold turkey will power and it will be better. And I know I will continue to want a cigarette for years. The problem with an addiction is you really don't ever get 100% over it. At least I did not.

I am going to focus on moving my addictive tendency to something healthier at least. In my efforts to help me through the roughest part of quitting, I am going to get a treadmill (probably from Craigslist or garage sales) and every time I feel the desperate need for a cigarette, get on and log a mile. My goal is at least 3 miles or more a day through the winter so I can go into Spring healthier than I have been for many years. I have also signed up for 4 races in the next 3 months. Forces me to go for runs/walks - I already spent the money on the race fees - and means that after the first one I can't take a break from running for too long, because another race is just around the corner. I am going to try and find one every 4-5 weeks to get me all the way into spring.

Not everything is going how I pictured it. Losing my job and coming back to New York is not what I planned. Running races and being happy with my family is what I planned, and if New York  is where that happens for me for now, I will make the best of it and concentrate on health and happiness and loving my family. The rest is just details.

My Whole30 Journey

In June I purchased a book - It Starts With Food - a guide to a 30 day Paleo food journey intended to help people change their lives and improve their health by following a few basic paleo rules. My personal paleo journey has been haphazrd at best for the last 6 months (did great in January and then...) and I felt like this book would help me make some additional changes. Even knowing the paleo "rules" and following them some of the time, there were things I was doing (or not doing) that I know I should (or shouldn't...) Artificial sweetners still entered my diet on a daily basis. I am addicted to cheese (love cheese...) and even though I don't regularly count calories, when I do they are always too high, paleo foods or not.

Enter Whole9.

The Whole9 Life, Whole30 challenge rules are simple.

1. Paleo foods - Meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds (but only if they do not set you off)
2. no "paleo" substitutes
3. No dairy (except for ghee)
4. Food has to conform to the 5 Whole30 rules (all described on their website)
5. No paleo substitutes.

For me giving up cheese and other dairy will definitely be hardest, and I will admit right now that I am not giving up my 2Tbs of heavy cream in my coffee. I keep trying black coffee and hate it, and now that I am officially a teacher in New Orleans and am lesson planning far into the evening and up very early to start my school day I will NOT give up my coffee. But the rest is doable for me.

Today was my official day 1. I will be taking pics of my meals and uploading them - the winners and losers - with any recipe or recipe link. I will be updating my LoseIt account daily to keep myself on track, and I will start running and strength training again. I have a half marathon coming up in October, and I will not be able to complete it (or the Disney Goofy challenge in January) if I do not get on the ball with training.

I wish I had thought about pics and updating before I had nearly finished my dinner tonight - it was so good!

This is the last 2-3 bites of seriously good thai style shrimp I made for dinner

Thai Almond-Coconut Shrimp - serves 1

3-4oz shrimp (mine were frozen and I thawed them completely, fresh would be even better)

1/4 large onion sliced

1 small bell pepper, sliced

1 jalapeno diced

4-5 sliced crimini mushrooms

fresh basil (to taste - grabbed a stalk or two)

fresh cilantro (same as the basil - but maybe 4-5 stalks)

lime juice

minced garlic

4tbs coconut milk

2 tbs coconut oil

splash fresh squeezed OJ

1/2 tbs almond butter

heat skillet or wok, add all ingredients except 1tbs coconut oil, coconut milk, almond butter, OJ and shrimp. Heat on medium until soft, then simmer with the coconut milk for another 10-15 minutes on low. Should smell fantastic. After simmering, remove tails and de-vein shrimp. Fresh shrimp will take longer to cook, if using frozen or already cooked shrimp, toss them in at the last possible minute - just before plating. Add shrimp and OJ, cook for 60-90 seconds Plate and add the almond butter, give a quick stir. Try not to inhale it all in one bite. So very very satisfying, and one of the only times I have cooked shrimp and not left it on too long. Will be making this again very soon - don't be surprised to see it turn up again in the next 30 days. 

Day 1 down, and I feel good.

Does it Matter?

I have not lost any weight in 6 months. Oh sure up a couple pounds, down a couple pounds, but not real significant pounds on the scale. I have not lost inches either (gained some though :P). I have not been consistent with my food or my workouts, so really it is to be expected.

I have not been without accomplishments though. I have graduated college, gotten a job, and moved to New Orleans. Since being in New Orleans (almost 2 weeks now) I have worked out at least 4 if not 5 days a week. I have done strength training and gone running. I ran 4 miles today and met a couple people from a running group that meets at Audubon Park every Sunday evening to run. I am meeting up with them tomorrow. I am positive that I will be the slowest and heaviest runner there, but I will still go and hold my head up with pride.

Why? Because I am moving foward. I am making progress. My eating has been more on track, my workouts have become consistent. I am happy (with the exception of missing my hubby and my boys, but they will be joinging me down here in the next few months) and I am making friends and I am joinging groups of other like minded people.

Eventually I will most likely lose weight - actual weight - on the scale. I will likely go down inches, lose a couple dress sizes, and gain some decent muscle. If my runs remain consistent I will get faster. If my strength training remains consistent, and I keep pushing myself, I will get stronger. So eventually it will have to workout. And right now, as much as I would like to lose a large amount of body fat, I don't think it really matters that much. I am happier. I am healthier. I am doing the things I want to do with my life. And I think, in the long run (pun intended) that is what counts.

What do you think?