1/2 Marathon Update

It's been almost a month since I started training for this 1/2 marathon.  I've been consistently running, running slow.  I keep trying to get over the time it takes me to run the distance.  I keep telling myself that I'm not out to beat a certain time or win the race.  What I am trying to do is get into a healthy lifestyle and routine.

This past Saturday I went out for a long run.  Which almost didn't happen due to my stinking basement flooding in 2.5 rooms.  What a mess.  In my past life I would have let such a catastrophe get the best of me.  As I lay in bed contemplating my situation, I made a decision.  I would no longer let life get in the way of my success.  Shit happens all the time(pardon my french) and I can't keep allowing it to get my way.  At first I thought I would shorten my run.  But I had already mapped out my route and as I began my ran I refused to expect anything less from myself.  I also threw out the heart rate training and ran like I would in the race, which was run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute.  I went for an amazing 8 miles!!  People, you have no idea what an amazing accomplishment this is for me, and in just 4 weeks.  Of course I am embarrassed by how long it took me, but , like I mentioned before, I'm trying not to let that get in my way either.  My friend Sabrina keeps telling me it doesn't matter cuz I'm lapping everyone that sitting on the couch.  So true.  I'm still astonished, 8 miles.

Despite my training I have yet to lose one ounce of weight.  It's not really about the weight, but losing a few lbs would be a nice benefit.  I think if I could shed some lbs my running would probably get  easier and my pace a bit faster.  But I'll take what I can get right now.

The week of the 4th was an eye opener for me.  I allowed myself to eat sugar without restriction.  The result?  A sick sick sick and weak body.  I also felt worthless and disgusted.  So back to the Green Smoothies I went.  This past week I began every single day with a green smoothy.  It was AMAZING the difference in the two weeks.  For some reason, when I started my day with a green smoothy my sugar craving was pretty much zilch.  Friday I allowed myself to have a cake donut and a tiny bowel of cereal for breakfast.  HugE, hUGe, mistake.  The rest of the day I craved sugar.  I couldn't get enough of it to feed the crave.  It was astonishing.  My solution?  Drink Green Smoothies every morning for the rest of my life.  Is this a sustainable habit?  For me, you bet.  If it will help me take control of sugar cravings, addictive and compulsive behavior, it's what I am going to do.  I've also reached a point where I no longer need to add agave.  Just pure, raw fruits and veggies.

Another benefit from the green smoothies is I feel so much better inside.  Really, I do.  I am grateful that I discovered green smoothies and the power they have in my life.  I am also grateful for the challenge to run a 1/2 marathon.  I hope it continues to change my life!!

Not too bad

I ran the farthest I've run in years this past Saturday.  I was hoping for 6 miles but didn't figure my route correctly and just went about 5.5miles.  I am slower then snails as well.  I went out again this morning and logged 4.3 miles.  Again, super slow.  I don't think I would be able to go as long as I've been going if it weren't for the heart rate training.  I keep trying to tell myself that it's not about how long it's taking me, but that I'm simply getting out there and doing it.  I pondered a lot on my run this morning how I felt while running and how I really felt about the time it takes me to run my various distances.  At first I was disappointed, but as I pondered more and more I realized that all that can change.  I'm still carrying a lot of extra weight.  I know that if this weight was off of me I wouldn't have to try and lug around so much while I was running.  But the only way the weight is going to come off is if I eat foods that will help me feel light and healthy.  Same old story peeps.  Eat lots of vegetables, fruits and grains.  I was going to google what it is that runners should be eating, but I already know how to eat.  I just need to start doing it. Plain and simple.

I really do love how running makes me feel.  Why I ever stopped, is beyond me.  Well, I know why, and I wish I would have ran through those difficult times.  I think they would have been a lot easier to deal with then just sitting around moping.

Today is the 4th of July.  I am grateful that I have the freedom to choose how I want to live my life.  I am not living my life to the fullest right now either.  I am allowing my nutrition to get in the way of me leading a more successful and happy life.  And I am choosing that consciously.  Right now I am okay with that.  I am making changes in my life that are slow, but they are steady and more changes will come.  I am happy.  Probably more happy then I've been in a very long time.  I am grateful for the challenge to train for a 1/2 marathon.  Sometimes the idea still makes me want to vomit.  But look where I've come in just a few short weeks.  Amazing what the body can do if you just allow it to.