10k is Tomorrow.

I put in another 3 miles yesterday. In fact, I programmed my I-Pod to a 5k - to see what I could do. But yesterday was not my day. When you head out on a run, it doesn't take that long into it (maybe a half-mile) and you know how it's going to go. I was sluggish. I knew it was a matter of just slogging through the 3-miles. That's how it felt - that's how it went. My time was average for me, but I felt sluggish and tired. I'm kind of glad today is a rest day, especially since tomorrow is the 10-k.

I've still had that odd pain in the back of my calf near the crease in my knee. I have no clue what it is. Just when I think it's gone, it comes back. It's just weird. I've been stretching pretty diligently in hopes that maybe it's just a tight muscle that just needs a little stretching. I've been wearing a neoprene calf sleeve to keep it warm when I run - hoping that will keep it warm and loose. It works while I'm running. Maybe I need to wear it all day too.

I'm ready for tomorrow's run. It's supposed to be windy and possibly chilly because of the wind. I'll be wearing shorts, but a long sleeve top. I'm kind of excited about the 6.2 miles. It's my first "official" 6.2 run. I can put it in the record books as a time to beat in the future. It will also be a good test for how I'm going to do on the 10-miler - though the 10-miler is completely downhill the entire way - now that's cool! No extra strain.

As far as any weight loss, it seems I'm hanging onto this 209 lbs. It's just been a battle that I am getting tired of fighting. I'm continuing to watch what I eat and I've been following this run schedule pretty diligently. I havent' been going to the gym everyday, but that's because I don't want to wear myself down from this training schedule.

Any hints/ideas/suggestions or words of encouragement to get me from this plateau would be greatly appreciated!

I'll try to update tomorrow after the run to let you know how it goes. If I don't, just check out my Nike+ Mini. She'll update when I download my run.

Until later...happy running.

What's Changed?

I don't know what's changed...the scale has been the same for a long time now, but for whatever reason, everyone's asking if I've lost weight. Wha????

Yes, my pants are baggy in the butt, but they've been that way for awhile. I'm still wearing the same clothes, but the scale has remained rock solid - almost as if it is a rock and the number will never change.

I'm glad for people noticing. It's a bit discouraging when you feel like you work hard and give it all you got, but there's nothing to show for it. Now that I'm in plateau-mode, everyone's noticing...interesting.

I'M NOT COMPLAINING - REALLY I'M NOT!

The encouraging words are nice. They're...encouraging.

This whole weightloss thing has been a mental struggle for me for awhile. I don't just eat a salad a few times and boom - 5 lbs lost. I have to eat less than 1600 calories and workout at the gym religiously - for months - FOR MONTHS - to see any weightloss. So to have someone notice the hard-work - it's nice.

Now, don't get all concerned that I'm going to breakout in the belly shirts and low-risers anytime soon. I still have some modesty about me. And plus, that would still be plain ol' gross to look at!

I don't know what's changed - but I'll TAKE IT!

Diagnosis - I don't know!

Here's the deal...I went out running on Saturday to "test out" my leg. 5-miles later, both legs felt sore, but not any worse for the use.

I don't think it's anything major, just some soreness that I need to work through. I soaked in an epsom salt bath almost immediately following the 5-miler. My legs seemed to like it. I was sore the remainder of the day (like walking funny sore) and I was sore on Sunday, but I didn't walk funny. Today, if I flex or move the right way, I can feel them, but otherwise, I feel good.

I feel good.

I am not feeling as discouraged as I was on Friday (or even Saturday morning). I am just feeling cautious. I will treat my legs well for the next few days and see how they fare.

Saturday is the 10k race I signed-up for. (That's 6.2 miles for the layman). I have 2 runs scheduled this week: 4 miles on Tuesday, 3 miles on Thursday. I will take it easy and see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted!

Why me?!?!

It seems that just when I start getting into a routine or in the midst of training, I get injured. I must attract the injury. I do all the right things. I stretch. I warm-up. I follow the training schedules. I don't know what it is.

Now, I'm not sure how bad it is, but I have the ache in my calf that seems to worsen when I run. It's fine otherwise, but after I run, it really hurts. At first, I thought it was just a tight muscle that wouldn't relax. I used Icy Hot and rubbed it down pretty good. It seemed to get better. I took a day off of running. But today, I thought I'd hit the treadmill and see how it feels. It started to ache.

I have a 5-mile training run tomorrow. I'm going to try and see how it goes. If it continues to persist, I guess it's safe to say that it's something more than a sore muscle (which I am praying against). The "something more" is more likely to be a muscle tear - which won't heal for a few weeks - so pray with me for a sore muscle that will be healed quickly!

I'll give an update later in the weekend to let you know how it's going!

A Little Update...

To enliven the pupils of my meager following, I am working on updating my blog - visually.

Since I feel like there's not much to blog about lately, I thought I'd make some changes to the blog-site instead.

Don't get too worried, I am still hitting the gym and I'm on Week 4 of an 8-week training plan to run 10-miles (The Philadelphia Broad Street Run). I am sore and tired - there's not much more to say at this time.

So, for now, check-out my new Nike+ Mini-me to the left...it will update everytime I update my runs!

What the $%^&*!

Starting Weight - 209.2 on 2/6
Week 1 Weight - Unknown
Week 2 Weight - 210.8 lbs. (2/27)
Week 3 Weight - 212.8 lbs. (3/6)
Week 4 Weight - 210.6 lbs (3/12)
Week 5 Weight - 212 lbs (3/20)

Maybe NEXT week - maybe we'll see a negative overall!!!

I registered for my first 10k

This morning, I registered for my first 10k (6.2 miles). I have never raced that specific distance. I know it's completely doable. It's also placed perfectly on my training schedule. That Saturday, I have to run a 10k for training, so why not pay to run and get a free long-sleeve T-Shirt?!!!

I was watching THE BIGGEST LOSER last night. I love that show! And last night was the perfect reason why I love watching it. The challenge - run a half marathon (13.1 miles) with friends and family watching on. I loved it. There was so much inspiration and determination in that 2-hour program. I even shed a tear or two while watching.

I know the feeling and the pain and the pride and the frustration of running a 13.1 mile race. There's so much that you deal with. It was amazing to see illustrated in video and in their own words the struggles that they were dealing with.

I feel a resurgence of running power and adrenaline or maybe it's the decaf I drank this morning...

I have been on track with my running schedule, though I will be honest, I have had a few days that I didn't want to go out. Yesterday was one of them - yet, once I went out, I ran one of the fastest times I've ran in awhile. And my goal was just to put in the mileage - not speed. Who knew!!!

So, today is a cross-training day at the gym. Gonna just have some fun. Maybe, I'll sweat a little bit. Maybe I won't. I just need to burn enough calories to burn off the donut I just consumed.

Yep. I said it - I ate a donut. Not just any donut - a powdered Jelly donut. I know, I know. I'm supposed to be watching my calories and dieting and exercising and all that. But here's what I know about me (no excuses - just fact). If I deny...deny...deny...then I'll binge...binge...binge. I don't mean an all out food-fest, but I'll go days eating all these things that I shouldn't be eating.

There you go. The BIG LOSER truth.

Don't worry - I run 2-3 miles every other day. That's a 350-450 calorie burn for me. Saturdays - I burn over 1000 calories on my long runs. I think a mere donut (1 - 2-3 mile run) won't hurt or harm me !