Encouragement in the DR's Office...

"You've lost some weight since your last visit, Ms. Lucas." - Nurse

"I've been trying." - Ms. Lucas

"Good job - 4 lbs." - Nurse

It was only 4 lbs, but it's a weight loss and I'll take it!

(My last visit was on 1/2/09).

In case you're interested, I have Acute Sinusitis (a fancy term for sinus infection). All my vitals were good. I'm healthy, besides the acute sinusitis.

I've been "Shocked and Awed"!

Last week, I set off to "shock and awe" my body, but my body decided to "shock and awe" me!

I started the week off with a stomach virus. I missed 2-days at work and only went to the gym once.

By the end of the week, I got hit with a minor sore throat, sinus build-up and a general feeling of increased lethargy. I'm still trying to kick that today!

I forced myself to go hiking at Bushkill Falls, which felt great at the time, but by the time I got home, I was completely drained and exhausted. I did enjoy the remainder of the 3-day weekend, but none of it included going to the gym or excessive physical activity.

Today is a new day. This is a new week.

Today is my "NEW" Monday!

It's Finally "MONDAY"!

Ok - so it's really not Monday (as in the actual day - Monday), but it's my Monday.

You know what I mean...

• "I'll start my diet on Monday."
• "I'll go to the gym on Monday."

This is my "SHOCK AND AWE" MONDAY!!!

If I didn't pack it or prepare it myself, I am not going to eat it.

If it's not wholesome and nutritious (and hopefully low-calorie), I'm not going to eat it.

If my calorie intake exceeds the prescribe/set limits I've imposed, then I must work harder at the gym. Today is the day I take back control of whatever it is I've lost and hopefully, we can start to see something happen on that dang scale.

This is not only my Monday, it's my "I'M FED UP with being where I'm at" DAY!

I am taking back control and will finally defeat this monster (this dang monster that's set it's claws so deeply into my core being).

I'm not getting anywhere...

Well, it seems that I am just plain' ol' not getting anywhere.

I am in a routine, a gym "rut" per se...

I go to the gym at lunchtime. I watch (mostly) what I'm eating. But the scale, it's also routine. It's the same ol', same ol'.

It's time for some shock and awe!

I have been in the same place since practically January. It's time for a change.

You know the saying - if you keep doing what you've always done - you'll get the same results. If you like the results you're getting, then keep doing what you're doing, but if you don't...then, it's time for a change!

But saying it and doing it are 2 different things!

Now I need to find my "get up and go". I've hired Sue back as my personal trainer. We start next week. I'm hoping that's a fire that will light my "get up and go". I need to make some changes and they need to start soon.

I don't like plateaus. I don't like sitting still. I don't like same ol', same ol'!

So, I'm gonna "get up and go"...well, at lunchtime that is.

Treadmill Mania!

I've got a new passion - one I never thought would happen.

I love the TREADMILL.

I know, I know. How could I possibly love running on a treadmill. All you do is basically run in place. Your surroundings never change. The only "air" flow you get is from the mini fan located on the treadmill.

Catch this - the gym has cable. Yep, so while I'm running my 10-11 min/mile, I can flip over to the Travel Channel and explore the sites and sounds of Prague or Rome. I get to see the local food-faires or activities. It's educational.

I have been enjoying listening to my I-Pod while watching (with subtitles), the Travel Channel. I have been running harder and longer than when I run outside. Now don't get me wrong, nothing can replace the joys of running outdoors, but if you gotta be in the gym and sweat off some calories, you might as well be doing it on a treadmill.

Plus, I have been sweating unlike I've ever sweated. I never sweat that much during a run outside. I'm not sure if it's because I run harder on a treadmill or that the outside is cooler, but either way, sweat is good.

So, I plan on another 2 miles during lunch today. That's 6 total miles for this week - so far!

If you're looking for me - somewhere between 12 and 1 - follow the smoke that's wafting in the air over the Hatfield Athletic Club. That's the smoke coming from a smokin' hot treadmill. And the person running on that smokin' hot treadmill - that's me - one smokin' hot Treadmill Maniac!

A New Post...

A new post is coming - I promise!

I've been enjoying some "down-time" after 8 weeks of intense training. I am getting back in the grind and working on getting into a normal routine this week.

Today, I ran 2 miles on the treadmill at an average of 11 min/mile. Not bad for me.

I'm working on running 10-min miles, but I get winded so, I only run that for 1/2 mile intervals, slow to 12-min and then back and forth.

I'll keep you updated.

Top 10 reasons to Run 10-miles

Here's my Top Ten reasons to run 10-miles

10. New Running Shoes...

9. Ice Cream! And lots of it!

8. Getting out of "household duties" (ie: cooking, dishes, etc...) - "uh, gotta run 5-miles today" :)

7. Excuse for "Extra" Nap-time

6. Getting to run with 27,000 of your closest friends

5. Post-Run Massage...

4. "Free" T-Shirt...

3. That "feel good" feeling that you donated money for a good cause...

2. You get a FINISHER'S MEDAL! (eventually...)

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...and the NUMBER ONE reason...

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1. A sense of accomplishment that you can't buy or acquire - you only EARN!

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"The miracle is not that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." - John Bingham

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"It doesn't matter what's ahead of you or behind you, what matters is what's inside of you." - anonymous

A Governor, one mayor and hundreds of Port-A-Potties!

The Broad Street Run - 30th Year Anniversary.

Over 26,000 runners participated in this year's event. A handful of participants had run in all 30 events. It was my first time! Every skill level, every shape, size and color - they participated. Fast, slow, tall, short, thin, fat - we were all there ready to test our endurance.

Some were there to win. Others, to better their records. Then, there were others, like me - we just want to finish, and receive the reward for our time, the placing of a medal around our neck!

I awoke minutes before the alarm was to go off at 4:45 a.m., hopped in the shower and dressed for the run. It was drizzling outside, but felt warm. So, I opted for spandex shorts and a sleeveless running shirt. I downed a 16-oz water bottle, grabbed my gear and headed out the door to meet my ride. I had my "typical" pre-race breakfast of Plain donuts and a Pepsi (don't ask, you don't mess with history here).

Not knowing what the drive or "drop-off" situation would be like, we left at 6:00 a.m. to head to Philly. The drive only took about 30-min from start to finish. We arrived really early. We sat in the car, talking logistics and post-race meet-ups. Afterwards, we headed outside for a quick run to the porta-potties and some warm-up time.

The pottie line took close to 20-minutes. It's a good thing I didn't have to go - really bad. Afterwards, we headed to the track for a warm-up lap and some stretching. They had an organized crew leading us in some aerobic activity and stretching. It felt good and it was fun!

Now it was time for the line-up.

I didn't have any of those pre-race jitters or nervousness that I typically have. I felt good. I was ready to run 10-miles. Other than the dreary gray skies, this was turning out to be a good race. The starting guns went off for the first heat at 8:30 a.m. 22 minutes later - our heat was released to start running. There was a mass of over 26,000 runners - most before me - some behind me all headed in a straight 10-mile pass to the finish line. I saw Mayor Nutter at the starting line. He was waving at the runners as we began our race.

For the first mile, it was just a sea of people. I knew I was running faster than my "practiced" pace, but the pace felt good. So, I held it. The "sea" was dispersing ever so slowly. I started passing people. My pace felt really good. My legs felt good. My breathing was good. I was ready to roll.

I felt great.

The first few miles were rather "uneventful". Somewhere around mile 4, my stomach started feeling a little "off". No problem, just keep running. By mile 5, I was running with an impending need to find a port-a-pottie without a line! I finally found one. Phew! When I started running again (no pottie-humor intended), I realized, I needed to find another pottie - QUICKLY! Whatever I ate for dinner or maybe it was my pre-race breakfast, my stomach was rebelling. I needed another PORT-A-POTTIE time-out. I slowed my pace as I realized how DIRE my situation was. I was not disappointed when I saw the next row of potties.

About 6 minutes later...

I was back in the race, with a feeling of relief and ready to run another 5 miles. As we passed city hall, there was so much excitement. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of spectators cheering and high-fiving the runners as they were passing by. It was the best part of the race. On the other side of city hall, I saw Governor Rendell in a brown "athletic" suit - high-fiving and shaking hands with the runners. Amazing!

That's when it started to rain - harder. My hat was keeping the rain off my face. My clothes and my body were soaked. I felt the urge to pick-up the pace, so that's what I did. Not having my Ipod or a watch, I had no idea how my pace was, how long I'd been running or how long I had to go. I had to depend on the mile markers and estimating the time when I saw the mile splits (I assumed it was a 22-minute delay in crossing the start line).

I knew if I continued at my current pace, I would meet my goal. That's exactly what I did.

As we got closer to the finish-line, I remembered to smile and "look good" for the cameras as I came to the finish. I crossed the finish line feeling accomplished, strong and proud.

I ran a race that I was proud of. I would have been more excited had I beat it by the time I spent in the port-a-potties, but I still met my goal even with those necessary time-outs. My body felt great. I felt strong. I knew I had run a good race.

After the race, I walked the finishers' path to find my medal, get refreshments and meet up with my ride.

But wait...where's my medal???!!!

There was no one there to hand-out medals. There were kids handing out cold waters, but no medals. I figured, "oh, they must be in the refreshment bags at the end." So, I went to the refreshment tent and got my bag - no medal. I walked back to the finish line, but I did not see anyone giving out medals. I kept asking until finally, a volunteer stated, "we ran out of medals. You'll get one in the mail."

IN THE MAIL???

I don't get to proudly wear a medal post-race? I don't get the post-race picture with the medal around my sweaty, rain-soaked neck? I don't get to stare at the medal all the way home as I recall what a wonderful race this was or how well I ran?

No, the whole reason for running the

race is not receiving the medal. But, it is expected. It's a tangible reward for finishing. Mind you, the exhiliration and the accomplishment should be enough, but...I am an achievement-oriented person and love the tangible rewards for my accomplishments.

So, I eagerly await the arrival of my medal by mail. I will stand by, no walk by, no run to that mailbox at the end of each work day looking for the arrival of my medal.

And then, I will rip it from the packaging, place it around my neck and bask in the final glow of my victory as a "finisher" in the 2009 Broad Street Run!