5K terror!

That was terrible. I mean it could not get worse. It is hard for me to even write about it.

My favorite weather man was calling for rain Saturday morning. Lots of rain. So I told myself, if it was raining when I got up at 4:30 AM, I was staying home. If not, I was running. Saturday morning, January 23, it was cold, but was not raining.

I did not eat the 5K prep meal the night before. To be honest, I thought that I would do better just on the fact that I was running longer and better than the last time I attempted. I was down in weight, so that was good. My mind was telling me this was going to be easier.

I eat an apple and a small yogurt on the way to Springfield. Drink some coffee. Ready to go! I arrive early because I had not preregistered. 6:30 AM. I set in my car after signing up and rested. Watched this crazy character warm up for an hour and a half! As I sat in my car, I would watch him run one way, run another. Come back across with this high knee bend runs, and back across again with lunges. Then when I thought he was done, in my rear view mirror, jumping jacks one way, and jumping jacks again. He was dressed is old time sweats with a sweatshirt hoodie. Looked like Rocky before a fight. He continued this for 90 minutes. I thought it would for sure wear him out. Sprint this way, sprint back. Stretch this way, stretch that way. It was for sure comical.

7:40, I get out of my car, warm up, stretch a bit and hear the chatter of the races. There are around 400 tagged racers. I hear all the things they are discussing and just warm my body. I was so cold, and it was misty. But no rain. Yet.

Women are called to the front as we will start 3:30 minutes before the men. 8:00 AM comes and off we go. I have a good pace, and start well. THEN, a cramp I have never know hits my side. I am doubled over. I slow down, still cramped. Tears fall. and more tears. I slowed to a walk. My first mile, and I am walking and being passed by a train of people. This is not good I told myself. So I started sucking in as much oxygen as I could. Still major cramping. It probably was not helping that I was in tears and between the crying and the cramping, I could not run. When I hit mile marker one, looked down at my watch and saw 18 minutes, I knew this was not going to be good. I thought that I should just turn around. But chose to keep on going regardless. I could not look at other runners as my sobs were louder and louder with every foot hitting the pavement.

Then, at mile 2, the cramping subsided, and I was jogging again. People were passing me on the way back, and I watch a flood of runner pass me as they headed back. I did not look back. I just kept going. and kept crying.

Between mile 2 and mile 3, two things happened to me that overwhelmed me. First, the woman that sold me the shoes, a 40 year old marathon runner, was guarding traffic and directing runners. When I saw her around the bend, and she looked me in the eyes and I smiled, she said straight to my eyes, "Atta girl, keep going." I lost it again as soon as she could not see me. Tears, a flood of tears. Why does this still bother me? Why does encouragement still send me to tears? I resigned to ponder that thought later so, I regrouped myself and kept on going.

Then, around another bend there was no race postman to tell me which way to go and I had no runners in front of me as they were all done, and only a handful behind me. I did not know which way to run. 'Are you kidding me, Laurie?', is what I heard my heart say. 'This is where you are. Still!' If I had not been able to see the buildings on Republic Road, I do not know which way I would have went. Because the first trek I made down this road before I reached the turn around, I was head down and crying and trying to convince myself to keep going. So, I did not know markers and I was lost. Behind ALL the runners, and lost. Tears.

I finally finish and see the timer. I would not walk past the finish line! So, I ran past it, 41:13. 15th from last, and looped around straight to my car and lost it again. My eyes were so flooded.

In retrospect, I did not respect the race. I did not respect the prep work for my body.

I am not running the 5K to win. I know I will not. That is ok with me. Really.

I am running these 5K's for simple reasons, but reasons that are mountains to me.
1. To Try my Body
2. To Finish Something
3. To Build for Tomorrows

AND, I have never loved the Lord my God with all my strength. Never. I would like to try. I know this is not what the verse means, as it means so much more than this. But my run, the journey does indeed build strength in me. And I will give it to Him for His glory.

A next race?? You might ask, ... yes, I am doing it again. My trainer says, no February races. At all. So, in March 2010 I will do another 5K.

I will let you know how it goes ... I covet your prayers for recovery. Emotionally & Physically.


P.S. I did not think it would glory the Lord at all to give Him this race, as I did my first one. So, I pondered whether to present it to Him. For this race was pathetic. I was by far the weakest: physically, emotionally, circumstantially, and daily, that I have been in awhile. But I gave it to Him anyway, because I know He will use it for His glory in spite of myself. He atones.

20 pounds!

Well, it is official, I have lost 20 pounds. It is slower that the trainer thinks it should be, and slower that I would want; BUT, it is good! I am down a jean size, and a shirt size. I can run for longer times. My heart can recover. I am not afraid of the cardio classes. I tried some jammies on that have been the back of the drawer for awhile, and they fit loose. I was happy about that.

The support from my friends and family has helped me the most. The education I have received from the trainers comes in a close second.

My trainer is almost opening his new gym so he has been swamped with prep work and I have not worked out with him in a long time. But on my own, I lost the 2 pound Christmas dinner weight. I was happy about that. I am telling you, fueling your body every 4 hours is a tool that helps me lose. When I can concentrate on that, I have much better weeks. When my to-do lists flood me, and I lose track of time, I am in trouble. I eat more, I act ravenous and eat too many calories.

My workouts are stronger. My running is farther. I am going to run the Starting Block's 5 K on Jan 23. I will let you know how that goes.... If I can only beat my time by one minute I will be happy! I mean, I will be happy anyway, but will be well pleased if I can do it!

Support Soars!

My mom ... I love her. For Christmas I had asked for a pair of new running shoes. She took me to Starting Block in Springfield, MO because she saw their ad on tv. I had never heard of this store before. When we went in, and I asked for some help.

Next thing I know, I am running barefoot on a treadmill while they figure my feet placement, arch, width, and leg running positions. Then they recorded me and streamlined it into the computer. In slow motion, I could see what my feet were doing. It was amazing. I could see how I was running. I could see how my running effected my ankles, my body. Then, based on that info, we tried on about 10 pairs of shoes, all in the category that the computer images represented was best for my running style. Slight prone, medium support. I was awed! I walked out, hearing from a women marathon runner, trained in such matters, that I had great running feet placement, and position, and all the things I did right, and all the things for me to work on to enhance my run. Was it inspiring or what!!! Thank you Jesus! Thank you mom for taking me there!

My man ... I love him. For Christmas, we had decided to spend no money on each other. We always celebrate our Christmas on Christmas Eve after the children are in bed. I had made him a present and give it to him. He had made me a present too.... If you have ever seen Forrest Gump, you know when Forrest is running over the US, the tee-shirt-happy-face man is inspired by Forrest and the 'Happy Face' logo is revolutionized. Well, my Brian believes I will help others want to run and move their bodies more as I get fit, lean and strong, so he made me a 'happy face' shirt, and wrote me the most inspiration letter ever! His support is apprecaited more than he knows.

My Brookie .. I love her. For Christmas she gave me a shirt that simply said.... Run

My Lindsey and my Faithe .. I love them ... They are helpful to me to give me opportunity and time to exercise and run and eat well...

Can not wait to break in those running shoes as soon as I feel well, and prepare for the Starting Block Resolution 5K on Jan 23 in Springfield Mo. I would like to run a 5K every other month until I am ready for a 10K.

Come run with me and we will 'Run, Forrest, Run'

Christmas ..... a lesson learned ...

Well, I learned a valuable lesson this Christmas. I still fight with temptation. And over Christmas Eve... it won.

My parents blessed Brian and me with a gift certificate to Big Cedar Lodge last Christmas. We still had not had opportunity to use it, so Brian surprised me and we took an impromptu trip to Branson on Tuesday the 23rd. Eating was ok. I had salad and soup for dinner, while Brian feasted on Big Cedar's famous menu. When the staff brought us gingerbread cookies to our cabin, I refused them. When Brian brought chocolates to the cabin, I had only two small peices. So all was going well. When we ate the next day, I chose good items from the menu ..

Then came Christmas Eve. I did well all day ... I was home finishing my wrapping, my cleaning, and decorating before my daughters and man arrived. I made snack foods for dinner and thought I could keep my paws clean. Little bbq smokies, meatball, veggie tray, cheese balls ... no big danger I thought. All of this food items I can take or leave. I told my family I was not making any desserts for Christmas Eve... Then, my 18 year old Lindsey made cookies ... for Santa ... Sugar cookies ... and well, I ate some. Too many. and felt miserable all night long. I had not had that much sugar in a long time, and I had just dealt with the virus, and I was sick!

Christmas morning is tradition for homemade waffles and fruits and sparkling grape juice. All sugar .. made me ill ... I was miserable. What was I thinking??

Christmas at mom's ... did better, turkey, beans, veggies ... and a piece of angel food cake. .. or two ... Stayed away from the pies, the breads, the potatoes ...but felt ick!

So today, the 29th, I still have not got back to the road of my work out schedule. I can feel it. Yesterday, I was hit with another virus. So I have not been eating every 4-5 hours. Have not wanted to eat at all. I have not exercised like I normally do. I am afraid to see the scale.

Come on ..Laurie .. start again ... stand back up ... you can do it ...

Virus interrupts diet

I was suppose to be finished with the crazy diet on the 23rd. But a virus given to me by my husband interrupted the diet plan. However, I did lose 6 pounds on the plan. Now I can eat meat and veggies except for potatoes and no breads. In a week we will add the potato and then in another week we will add the bread.

The virus knocked me around a bit and I lost a lot of energy that I would have rather found and used. I have not been sick in a long time. I know remember how glad I am to feel good.

Dec 20th, was our annual church Christmas play. Every year our church does a play the Sunday evening before Christmas, and our kids and youth are the main characters. Brian and I help with the play, so begin sick this weekend was not fun. However, after the play, our church has 'goodies' galore and yummy drinks. Temptation City! So, right after the play, I remained in the sanctuary cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Did not go to fellowship hall where the food was. and I am happy to report I did not eat the feast of sweets. ..... distraction was a good thing!

New Diet for two weeks ...

My trainer surprised me last week with a new diet. A ONLY 2 WEEK diet ...

No carbs .. none ... notta one .. for two weeks .... no loaded coffee, no veggies, no non-calorie sweetened thing either. No Crystal Light, no diet colas, nothing that even taste like sugar.

This diet is to last until the 23rd of December ...

So far, I have had eggs for breakfast. No biggie, as I was already having eggs for breakfast. Protein shake after I work out. He wanted me to have my protein shake with water ... GROSS!!! but instead I found an almond milk with >1 g carb per serving, so I am having that instead of water. It is good. Lunch is some hot tuna with melted swiss. It is good. And dinner, Brian is making me some good lean proteins.

5 days into the diet, lost 4 pounds. Is this water weight? I wonder. I do not think so, because I am still fully exercising. Maybe some, but clothes are loose. And three people commented on my neck begining smaller. So maybe, I lost 4 pounds in the neck.... ??? Bodies are weird!

We will see how the rest of the week goes ...

Rotation Jeans

I know every woman has a pair. You know the pair of jeans in her closet that when it comes up for rotation to wear, you look at it and think, "You gonna be tight today?" "Did the dryer shrink you more again?"

Well, I have this pair of jeans in my rotation that kicks my psychy every time. Until now! last week, I tried on the jeans to wear for the day, looking around for a pair of spankx, although I do not own any, and say to myself, "Ok, here we go ... One leg in ... good. Second leg in ... good.. Here is the real test .. over the fanny ... yep .. and now zip ...YES! I finally have room to breathe TOO!"

Rotation Jean is loose! This is a milestone! This is a new beginning!

So, I take off that pair of jeans and evaluate the jean schedule. Baggy jeans (and I had three pair that were too baggy ..Finally! ) are off to the consignment store. I try on two pair of the 'once fit me nicely but do not fit now (yet) jeans', and tried them on. Fit! Let me remind you four of these pair are the same size of jeans. According to the tag... but not according to the body. Then, in the way back of the closet, I found a pair I had long forgot about ... tried them on .. and yep, they fit too. So, four pair fit. Time to hit consignment stores for jeans.

Tried on jeans at the store, some fit, some did not. But all 16s are way to big. This makes me happy. Out of the 16s forever. Tried on about 6 pair of 14s. 4 fit. One fit 'well'. One was too big. Bought two pair and left with a smile. Getting closer to goal.

Swearing off anything with strings or elastic unless I am working out. This is disaster, like a free ticket to eat more portion than allowed. You all know what I mean. You are full quicker in a pair of jeans then ol' comfy sweats. Promise you!