Giving "Carb Loading" a Whole New Meaning...

In this world there are runners and then there's me. I've said for several years that I needed to "get serious" about exercising but I'm always just lip service. A few months ago I decided to put my money where my mouth is and actually do something. What I decided to do is still a bit of a puzzle to me.

I was fed up with myself the day after Christmas when I was looking through all of our family photos and I was counting my chins, so I got on a local website that lists all of the Austin and surrounding area races several months at a glance. I decided (having never run a mile, mind you...) that I would participate in the Capitol 10K at the end of March.

I recruited my sister and her BFF Alyssa and then I began begging Dave. I knew with his classwork that it might not interest him, but he readily agreed. Which is good, because had it not been for those 3 accountability partners I might have backed out!

I went ahead and signed up, but didn't tell many people....just in case.

December 28th was day 1. I started with the couch to 5K program and away we went. I won't lie...I don't like to run. It's hard. I can't breathe. I sweat like a pig. My knees hurt (PS, they only hurt for like 2 weeks and then they stopped). My legs felt like led weights. Did I mention the breathing? Because I felt like my chest was loaded with dynamite and was literally exploding. I'm also a bit ADD so it was boring! BUT, I sweat. I got my heart rate up. And for the first week when I was hard to run from my house to the stop sign (which is about 4 houses...) it began to feel really good when I could run 8 houses...then 12....and it just got a tiny bit easier each time.

I began to doubt myself a few weeks ago when I was hitting my wall around 3 miles. I thought I had bit off more than I could chew with 12 weeks to a 10K. I thought I should have started with a 5K. But this weekend I sucked it up, laced up the shoes and put on my big girl panties... I joined 25,000 of my closest friends in doing the Cap 10K in Austin, TX.

Photo Credit: Kelly West- Austin American Statesman

The actual running on race day was the only thing I did all weekend that a real runner would do. Because the 3 baskets of chips I had the night before probably doesn't count as "carb loading". But who doesn't love a good sunset at the Oasis on Lake Travis?

Below is our race day adventure. I forgot to take any pictures after the 10K, but everyone passed the finish line with flying colors! #WINNING.

PS...I do realize that most of you run a 10K in your sleep and it's part of your daily routine but this was a new adventure for me. I'm thrilled that while I will not lie to you and say I am "a runner" and have been bitten by the running bug, it did feel good to set a goal, work hard and accomplish it. A marathon is STILL not on my bucket list, but I am feeling great and hope to make a 5K and/or 10K part of my yearly routine to keep me working hard for something. And maybe (MAYBE) I might one day do a 1/2 marathon....maybe.

No Pain no gain?

*UPDATE: Thank you, Advil. The swelling has gone down considerably. I'm definitely still in pain with that arm, but I was nervous with all the swelling, so maybe things are looking up!

So, day 1 of P90X is behind me and it was definitely difficult, but there was no vomit involved. I did totally struggle-cakes through the push ups. We're talking like 5 different kinds and multiple reps. Yuck! The diamond push ups with my hands together were definitely the hardest ones. I'm pretty sure my weight distribution was a bit off! We sweat, we struggled and we felt really good afterwards! Go us!

Then I ate dinner, watched the bachelor, watched the City while soaking in a bubble bath, watched the final minutes of the Longhorns cradering against the sooners in basketball while talking to my mom and then it was time for bed. I literally hung up the phone and realized....my arm hurts freaking BAD. What the heck? I moved it around and really felt the pulling, but it was like it was just really, really sore and I went to bed. Well, I woke up around 2:00am in pain in my arm (elbow) and just didn't understand why I literally couldn't move my left arm, but the right arm is just fine. I mean, my upper body is tired and sore, but NOTHING like my left arm. This morning, when I woke up I told Dave of my battle wound and he looked me over and we came to the conclusion that it is definitely swollen. In fact, my co-worker said she could even tell through my shirt. Let's be honest, it's a turtleneck!

So, I'm not really sure what to report. I liked day one of P90. I feel good having worked hard and I'm feeling sore today, but it is a great feeling. It's a feeling that lets you know you worked hard, I just don't understand this left elbow. Also, I wasn't using weights. Well, 5 lb dumbells for a couple of excercises, other than that I was using bands. So it's not like I was using weights too heavy for me and injured myself. I never felt a snap or a tear or a point in my workout where I could say, "I just hurt myself". It didn't start until about 3 hours afterwards. But there is definitely something "not quite right" about it. If I were to brush my hair, or make the "choo-choo" motion with my arm (not sure WHY I would be doing that motion, but roll with me) that's when it really hurts. SO, we might be a man down on P90X....Dave might be rolling solo. I'm going to see if the swelling goes down and see how it feels in the next few days. I'll report any progress. :)

Maybe I need to hit up Jazzercise! XOXO

Loco in the Cabeza...

I must be nuts. Today is D-day...P90X baby. Dave got this insane workout DVD set for Christmas and the time has come for us to begin. The dumb-bells, resistance bands, pull-up bar and workout mats have been bought and we are ready to go. This morning, Dave asked "What do you want to throw up later?" I guess that was his clever way of asking what I wanted him to pack me for lunch. Does he think that's encouraging me to want to do this?

I know I have a long way to go....20-30 lbs to be exact. I say 20-30 because 30 would be my ultimate goal/satisfaction. However, 20 lbs gets me to my wedding weight (I didn't lose for my wedding. That has just always been my healthy/normal weight) and back into ALL of the clothes in my closet. I would be content with 20 lbs, but why not shoot for the moon! :) This will not be easy, and I know that. Tony Horton is geared up to kick my ace and I think I'm geared up for Tony. Wish me luck!

Yeah, real glamorous!

Of course life is glamorous and fabulous....so glamorous am I that yesterday, I could barely button my pants! Yep. You read that right. I got up, realized all of my "everyday" type pants were dirty and grabbed a pair that I haven't worn in a while. A while being 3 months or so....not 3 years! I grabbed said pair of pants, went upstairs, ironed them and then had approximately 30 seconds to get dressed and get out the door since Dave was standing by the front door tapping his foot....I was nearing AIS time!

*Insert comment: Have you ever seen the Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Ray tells Deborah she is always late and he hates to be late? They decide they will have an ETD (estimated departure time) but then an AIS time...ass in seat. Love it. Ray had a benefit that night and Deborah promised to be on time. They decided their AIS time, and if Deborah wasn't there, he had full permission to leave her...Ray and Deborah have a very similar story to Dave and Tiffany.....back to my story.....

So, I ran downstairs after ironing my clothes and threw on my pants. One MAY-JA problem...they were approximately one inch away from zipping. You think I'm joking. I literally squeeze myself into the pants because there was NO time for ironing a new outfit, and me and my muffin top head out the door. I was already in pain after .2 seconds and the thought of my button popping off the minute I sat down was running through my head.

By the grace of God and some seriously strong thread my button managed to stay fastened to my busting belt line, but right then and there I decided to turn over a new leaf. I got home from work, peeled off my painted on pants and went for a walk! They say if you do something 27 times it becomes a habit....only 26 more days...oh joy.... :)

Although I am not proud of my moment of awakening, I figure if I accept my issue of shrinking clothes, and say it out loud (or write it in cyberspace), then I might have a better chance of actually making it work this time....so here's to honesty among friends.

Wish me luck....and self control! Here goes nothin'!