I consider myself an active person. I run on a semi-regular basis and race a couple of times a year. I don't race to be competitive but more to support causes or to have fun with friends. I'm also a track and cross country coach...so I have to be active to teach as well as to keep up with the team.
However I find that I'm in my mid 30's and my body doesn't respond as well to running as it used to. Meaning that I am not 20 year old thin anymore. Heck I'm not even 30 year old thin with a little effort thin. I'm quickly approaching the 40 year old frumpy mom despite having trained for and "raced" in two half marathons this year and a few 5ks as well.
I spent my summer running but mostly nursing a diagnosis of planter fasciitis. By nursing I did my physical therapy at home a few days a week and only running once or twice a week. I delayed the full recovery because I refused to fully stop running...please don't lecture I'm a big girl and know how to behave better. I also spent some time on my bike until I backed over it after practice one day. Don't ask. I might also mention that I LOVE summer because I can swim. Any time I can get into a pool or lake I do. And it helps that my daughter is a fish.
And as summer came to an end and I had to start putting on my winter clothing again I discovered that my pants were a little tight around the waist and that a muffin top became an official part of me. I discovered the lovely bra strap/band lumps are there and proudly displaying themselves through my lumpy sweaters despite my trying to layer things to hide them.
Now my husband claims to still find me intensely sexy and physically desirable. So I have to take his word for it because frankly... I don't see myself that way at all. I can only see my imperfections that crept up since May...maybe even sooner. Probably sooner because one doesn't get this lumpy in just a few months... I just happened to notice it now that my training has come to a stand-still.
So the week before Thanksgiving I decided to get back to my real self. The self I want to see in the mirror every day like I used to. I look at this two fold; if I feel better about myself in looks that is a win, and if I physically get back in shape I'm keeping myself healthier longer for my family and that is an immense win for myself not to mention my children.
So my first day of getting back into shape ended up being a Turkey Trot type race. A few days before the Thanksgiving holiday but still within that theme. I ran a decent race despite huffing wind. Ended up first in my age group...don't ask me how because my time was not brag worthy at all. And left feeling that I can do this! Oh and for my first run since the diagnosis my foot didn't hurt during the run, later that day, or even the next day!!!
I logged a few more miles here and there as time permitted. I even started training a co-worker who wants to get back in shape. So I added some stairs at the local high school stadium and laps to go with them as well. Didn't hurt like I expected so I guess I'm off to a good start.
Finally got my coaching pay from cross country season in November (it's one lump sum with all those lovely taxes taken out also in one lump sum). I took enough money from what the government left me as change from paying my taxes and bought myself a gym membership at the place across the street from where I work which also happens to be only 1/2 a mile from my house. So I now have six months to lift and trim and define. I promise to be dedicated and loyal to the gym over these winter months.
I also happened to sign up for a half marathon. Details on that later... no carts before the horse here. My goal is to beat my last PR because this lifting is going to be excellent cross training and it's going to help me lose some weight so I'm able to cut time just on stronger muscles and lost fat alone. I'm being optimistic that my age doesn't counteract the improvement I'm setting myself up for. Anyone that hits the wall in their 30's knows what I'm talking about. Mine came at 34 and my body just said f*#$ you you're not 21 anymore. Since then I've been fighting a battle... details found above!
Despite promising myself to be loyal to my gym life has already gotten in the way and I've only been there three times in two weeks. My goal is three times a week. I also need a training plan and advice on how to lose weight without cutting my calories to 1200 day and drinking three protein drinks a day because I just don't see how running half marathons works with 1200 calorie diets... I mean I could be wrong but I'm going to see a nutritionist to find out for sure.
So that's my opening run-down of what is going to officially be happening in my life over the next six months. At the end of that time... I'll be running my half. Do the math and see what's available in Ohio during that time span to take a guess at which race... I promise in a month or so to tell you anyhow. It's not something as exciting as Boston so don't get your panties in a wad trying to figure it out. Again I'm not brag worthy so it's nothing that amazing!
I plan on being an active blogger to hold myself accountable. And heck maybe even find a few running buddies along the way. Hopefully after today I'll have pictures to post too. But I'm not so good at the selfie stuff so it's going to be pictures of shoes, trees, energy snacks... you know runner stuff but nothing too exciting! :) Any maybe, just maybe I'll attain the actual goal of losing this muffin top because I'd much rather eat a muffin then wear one!
