Becoming Lean, Mean, Endurace Event Machines in 2008

[Big Vic]

Vic: Right back on the TM--great news! New-shoe feel is better than new-car smell, IMO. (Although I have to give an edge to new-car smell over even new-shoe smell....) My blisters are mostly healed, but I've noticed a tendency to get that hot-spot feeling at much lower mileage these days. Is this what's happening to you? Runner's World has reviews of socks in this month's issue that I need to read up on.

Exactly! I'm just hoping the skin hasn't toughened up yet. I would hate to think I'm going to be blister prone from now on. Before the marathon I never had a blister.

Cindy - Thanks!

Tracey - It works!

 

[Creativebeth]

Try the X-Static socks......PaDisneyFan and I like them alot, and haven't had any problems with blisters or 'hot' spots. They actually have silver impregnated into the fabric of the socks. Nancy put a link to them on the walkers thread.

Beth

 

[Creativebeth]

Debra: It's the funniest thing.....you think I am positive??? My dh is always on me for being so negative! I do try to put a positive spin on my 'negativism', but I am probably the most negative person you have ever 'met'!!

I am feeling pretty positive with the scale right now. I feel vindegated with any small loss on the scale. It doesn't have to be big numbers, as long as it's less! Today's total for the year is 12 pounds! Yippee!!

My clothes are fitting better, and that's the biggest accomplishment!

I am in the groove, and it's easier right now to make good choices. That doesn't always happen for me. I think I do better when I am off the 'sugar'!!!! Sugar is a big craving for me, and once I start there is no stopping. After a couple of weeks off the white stuff, I don't crave it so bad anymore. I am taking the time to appreciate feeling good right now. Too bad I have another 15-20 pounds to take off1

Beth

 

[postesf]

Yay Beth on the new comfy clothes!!!

Debra--agree on the post-Disney let down, time of year thing... My scale hasn't budged since Disney!!!

Great news Vic on the shoes!!! Crossing my fingers for you that you stay blister-free!

For me...trying to get on schedule in between and dr appointments/chiro appointments... I've done something every since Sunday, so this week is looking good.

Keep it up guys!!! You can do it!
Stacie

 

[JustSmile]

Good morning all.

But we're LEAN MEANERS, and that means that we're tough, we're strong, we're dedicated, and most importantly WE'RE NOT ALONE.

This cracked me up. It is such a wonderful statement. It just reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit (was it Steve Martin or Al Franken?) and he would look in the mirror and say things like...."I'm tough enough, strong enough, and dog gone it, people like me" (well it was close to that). Does anyone else remember that skit? Sometimes, my sense of humor is a little out of whack.
Debra...thank you for the above sentiment....I feel like I'm all of these things. I tell my son that I thank him for challenging me to run, because everytime my foot hits the pavement I realize that there's someone inside me that I never knew existed. And then I come here and see that there are lots more people out there just like me and we come in all shapes and sizes. And the support I find here is amazing. You're so right we're not alone.
Cindy....I struggled with the baby weight too and put in on hold for 18 months.
Vic.....beware..you may have created a quoting monster.
Debra & Beth Negative? Seriously. You two are ultra positive and always have kind and supportive things to say.
My son and I swear by the UnderArmour socks. They have a really nice arch support and are super comfy. Has anyone tried the Injinji (is that right?) socks....they look like a glove for your foot. Seems like they would be great for anyone prone to toe blisters.
Have a great day all.

 

[Big Vic]

Good morning Lean Meaners!

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful Hump Day.

3 miles on the TM last night and the feet faired pretty well. I used Body Glide on the affected areas and it helped. Still had the burning sensation, but nothing like the night before.

Beth - I'll check out those socks.

Stacie - WTG with doing something everyday!

Tracey - Quote away!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon!

For the 3 of you that are not on other threads where I post (there can't be many!)--

Ok, I don't have much of a heart to post today -- I'll try to make this short. I ended up going to bed with half a pizza and no exercise. When I went to pick ds up from his After School program, the lights were off and the doors were locked. The teachers in charge *forgot* him and left. Fortunately he was with his former 3rd grade teacher, helping her in her room. She had no idea they had left, either. He's fine, I'm fine, but last night when I finally got him half an hour after we arrived (no, we were not late), I was a shaking blob of Mommy goo.

This resulted in me completely off the wagon. I took to my bed with ds firmly tucked by my side and ate half a pizza and ding dongs. I could not get enough food. I know this is not the right response, I seemed to be on automatic pilot. Anyway, I am back to eating normally today, but still pretty freaked out. I'm hoping for a workout, but right now I'm feeling out of sorts.

Just wanted to check in and say I hope everyone is having a great eating and workout day!

It is pouring here, so it matches my antsy mood...
Maria

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Maria -

I would have been SO MAD!!!! Maybe you can get a good exercise in when you kick those teacher's butt!!!!

I have always learned the most important thing when you fall off the horse is not to beat yourself up but instead get back up and keep going!!

I am really sorry that happened - I am an emotional eater too - I would have added a pint of ice cream to my pizza!!!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Maria -

I would have been SO MAD!!!! Maybe you can get a good exercise in when you kick those teacher's butt!!!!

I have always learned the most important thing when you fall off the horse is not to beat yourself up but instead get back up and keep going!!

I am really sorry that happened - I am an emotional eater too - I would have added a pint of ice cream to my pizza!!!

Let's just say there were some ding dongs and leave it at that...it wasn't pretty

I just can't imagine anything scarier than not knowing where your child is. I am normally a pretty rational, calm person. I had pure fear running through my veins.

It's making me feel better to talk about it, and I'm sure my blood pressure will go down by tomorrow. Yep, gotta get back on that healthy horse!
Maria

 

[Steffwalks]

Worfiedoodles, I can identify. But let's talk, okay?

Along the way of achieving our goals, life happens. It's not that you reached for pizza and ding-dongs, it's that you didn't find a way to deal with your feelings. Take a moment and learn from this experience...(I take lots of moments cause I have lots of experiences, so this is the voice of experience talking here). What can you do differently, next time? Could you have reached for the phone and called the school board instead of reaching for the ding-dongs? (ever think those things were aptly named?) Called a real friend? (food is fuel-not friends), gone for a run? The experts tell us if we plan our reactions, we live up to the plan. That's why we practiced fire drills as children, and should practice them as families. Anyway, that's just some food for thought.

Btw, I don't think the pizza was too bad! I love pizza! And the ding-dongs aren't going to destroy your life. Everyone is safe and you had to eat, anyway! So all is well.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Worfiedoodles, I can identify. But let's talk, okay?

Along the way of achieving our goals, life happens. It's not that you reached for pizza and ding-dongs, it's that you didn't find a way to deal with your feelings. Take a moment and learn from this experience...(I take lots of moments cause I have lots of experiences, so this is the voice of experience talking here). What can you do differently, next time? Could you have reached for the phone and called the school board instead of reaching for the ding-dongs? (ever think those things were aptly named?) Called a real friend? (food is fuel-not friends), gone for a run? The experts tell us if we plan our reactions, we live up to the plan. That's why we practiced fire drills as children, and should practice them as families. Anyway, that's just some food for thought.

Btw, I don't think the pizza was too bad! I love pizza! And the ding-dongs aren't going to destroy your life. Everyone is safe and you had to eat, anyway! So all is well.

Connie -- Thank you for your sage advice. One thing I don't have is a contingency plan for an emotionally loopy day -- I know what to do when my schedule is thrown off, someone is sick, etc., to stay on track, but I've never written a plan (I'd have to write it down, because I can't think when I'm upset) to get me through those times without turning to food. You have given me alot of food for thought (ok, even I admit that's a bad pun), and I will try to work with it. I did call my bff, and she was, well, mad. She was not a calming influence at all. DS is in a small, Catholic school, and the teacher who runs the After School program is the daughter of the principal, so I knew yelling at anyone wasn't going to get me far. They did call and apologize today, and they were genuinely sorry and mortified, so nothing I could say could make them feel worse. It is over, and I am letting it go. But you're right, this is a chance to learn from my experience, and I am going to use it.

You just talked me back into getting on the bike tonight, Thank You!

Maria

 

[Big Vic]

Maria - Sorry to hear about the DS. Glad he, and you are ok.

Don't get down on yourself. Jump back on the wagon and move forward.

 

[deekaypee]

Vic: I hope it's not permanent. I'm prone to blisters, but get tired of trying to man up about it. Good to know the Body Glide helped; it doesn't seem to make much difference for me.

Beth: Thanks for the socks suggestion. I'm trying a bunch of different things, but I tend to treat socks as the magic talisman to ward against them. But you, negative? I just can't see it. Me, on the other hand....There's no question that everyone in my family sees me as negative, at least when it comes to my own life. Drives my MIL crazy, in particular. But what can I say--it makes me happy.

And 12 pounds. That's wonderful! Not just the pounds or the clothes fitting, but the whole feeling of craving control and accomplishment. My BIL is cutting sugar out of his diet and he says the difference in his energy level is unbelievable, that he feels more upbeat, and he misses it less and less. Similar for you?

Stacie: That's great consistency in working out. I'm hoping your drs.' appointments go well and that there's very little waiting. (Big hopes, I know.)

Tracey: I remember that SNL skit! Hi-lar-i-ous!. It's so great that your son supports and challenges you. I think we all need (at least) one person in our lives to do that. I'll probably try to the UnderAmour, since I like so much of their other stuff. Runner's World recommends the Injinji, but I'm more on the fence about them...don't know why.

Maria: I said it in the team thread, but I think you handled everything MUCH better than I would have. Food can be a comfort--I know I tend to reach for pizza in that way, and for far less serious reasons. Take comfort not only in the happy conclusion with DS, but that you're so conscious of why you're doing things. You'll get back on track. You did what you needed to do emotionally, you're reflecting on it, and it's just a blip in your everyday life. (Connie says it better, btw.)

Connie: Great words. I'm lucky to know you.

As for me: More running and XT today, plus an aborted attempt to get outdoors for some fresh air. I've been on plan today, but last night I was very hungry @ 10 p.m. I refuse to go to bed hungry, so I made some oatmeal with bananas and raisins, and it seemed to tide me over. I'll need to watch my intake during the day, though, as I worry that I'm not eating enough to keep a consistent energy level and that might lead to late-night snacking. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember to eat when I'm working and in the zone.

Oh, and a little dose of the real me and negativity. A friend of mine says I'm only happy when I'm watching a movie and the protagonist dies. There's more than a little truth to that.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

8.22 miles on the bike later, and climbing back on the wagon.

Salmon and rice for dinner.

Planning to do weights while we search for the Kraken on Monsterquest (I guess they haven't checked SeaWorld).

All my DIS friends...Priceless!

As Scarlett would say, "Tomorrow is another day!"
Maria

 

[JustSmile]

Maria....So sorry to hear that happened to you. Thank goodness he's okay and you're okay. And look at you....you got right back on the wagon with salmon and rice and 8+ on the bike. The strong woman in you rose to the challenge. Way to go!

 

[Minnie]

Only have a moment but I had to respond to this...

Maria - OMG that is soooooo scarry Don't beat yourself up on what you ate. Very understandable

 

[postesf]

Good Morning Lean Meaners!

Maria...So sorry to hear about your son! How scarry! I would have been furious! I LOVE pizza. It is one of my weaknesses!!! You did outstanding getting on that bike and getting back on plan! Great job girl! Way to go!!!

Debra...Great job sticking to the plan. You chose a very healthy snack! Me, I probably would have gone to bed hungry. Bad, yes, I know.

Connie...Great advice! Having a plan is a necessity. What's the saying??? If you fail to plan, you plan to fail...

Vic...So happy to hear the body glide helped! It's hard to run or walk w/ hurt'in feet!

Beth...Intersting info about the socks! I've only tried the cheaper brand that Fleet Feet carry. ZuLu. They are so more comfy than regular cotton socks! I wear them all the time, not just when I'm training. I've not yet had too much of a problem w/ blisters, but then again, I don't have very high mileage either... I'll have keep this in mind if start having issues.

Tracy...SO right. The support here is amazing!!!

Ok...for me... so, it was raining yesterday. It was my day to run (well, walk/run). I've never wanted to run in the rain before. Heck no, to the TM I go. Well, for some reason, yesterday was different. I just had this desire to get out there and get wet. Matt had a Dr appointment in Wilson yesterday. We got there and I went in and changed clothes. My parents live about 3-3.5 miles away. I told Matt I was going to run to their house. He looked at me like I was insane. Let's just say he was not too thrilled about me running on a 5 lane highway. I told him that if when he got done, and he saw me, to stop and I'd get in the car w/ him. So...to make a long story short, I ran 2 miles in 28 minutes before he picked me up. I acutally walked more than I ran, which is ok. It was actually a good place to run as I could be on flat ground just off the highway (althought I was in people's yards! No sidewalk) I wasn't too close to traffic and I could actually see a little path where it seems someone must run/walk in the same area. After he picked me up, we got to my mom and dad's neighborhood and he dropped me off at the front of the subdivision. I got in another mile for a total of 3 miles/45min.

I actually had a great time running the rain. There was this cleansing effect it had on me. I hate getting all hot and sweaty so in the rain, you just get wet. You don't feel sweaty at all! As the cars passed, I kinda giggled to myself wondering what those folks were thinking...(This girl is crazy!)

Hopefully my shoes will dry out and still fit ok. I've washed a pair of shoes before and they never fit the same after... I hope since these just got soaked in the rain and I let them sit out and dry vs. sticking them in the washing machine, they will be ok. They are my newest and most expensive pair!

So far this week my activity as been:

Sunday: 3.6 miles, 50 minutes
Monday: 20 min step, 8.5 miles on bike in 40 min., 20 min walk at lunch
Tuesday: 30 min aquacise
Wednesday: 3 miles walk/run, 45 min

Today, I plan to do a 45 min step class.

I will say, I need to keep track better of my food. I don't know if I'm eating too much, not enough or just building muscle. With all the above activity, I got on the scale this morning and I'm actually up in weight. ugh! Frustrating! I guess for some folks the the time spent in said activity above is not much, but for me...it's soooo much better than I was doing and about all I have time to fit in. Life is just to hectic!

Anyway...enough about me today...Hope everyone has great day!!!

Stacie

 

[Creativebeth]

Wow, I was gone 1/2 a day and the posts were flying!!!! I hope I can keep it all straight....I'll try at least.

VIC:: The socks have a two fold advantage. They help with blisters I think, but with the silver in them they don't get smelly. The company says that you can take a weeks test wearing them and at the end of the week, they will not stink. Nice to know, huh?

Maria:: Well, I don't know what to say. I don't think that I would have handled the situation with you son better than you did. I would have wanted someone's head on a platter. What sense does it make to have a after school program, and not fulfill that obligation? I would have been livid (((of course, after freaking out not knowing were my kid is!. Wow, to much to think about. Don't worry so much about the pizza......we've all been there. It's hard to follow any kind of plan when you are upset. Weight loss takes FOREVER, and life gets in the way sometimes. I believe if I eat well 90% of the time, I am doing great!. Move on, and just be happy that your ds is okay!

Stacie:: A food diary really helped me when I got started. Low carb was a new thing for me, and was difficult to get my head around. I had done WW and it's the only plan I ever really followed before. So a food diary was really important for me to keep track of everything. I really should still be doing it! I have the idea pretty well, and think I can just wing it, but sometimes that really doesn't work out!

Tracey:: I too am old enough to remember that skit on SNL. It was to funny! I really hate to admit all the TV I remember, b/c that clues everyone in that I am OLD! My b-day is on Saturday and I am turning 42! How did that happen anyway?

To anyone I missed.....sorry.....it's so hard to keep up! Things are going pretty well for me. I have stayed on plan, but family stress is getting in the way. My dh is looking for a new job, and that is always stressful for me ((((and the finances!))))) I have to keep my head in the game though.....I am a stress eater. I don't want to mess everything up.....I will try to keep focused, with all of your help of course!!!

Beth

 

[deekaypee]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I hope you're all enjoying it in whatever way works best for your lean meaner selves. Preferably with loved ones, loved activities, and even loved food.

Maria: You go, girl! You just made lemonade out of that situation!

Stacie: I've never been to a Fleet Feet--never lived close to one before. What are the stores like? I think you've been getting lots of good cardio time in--congrats! And you're being consistent, too, which is much better than the weekend warrior pattern. (Not that there's anything wrong with that if that's all one can manage...).

Beth: As one of my college students once said to me: "You're not old; you're vintage!" Seriously, the boomers have redefined youth for us. We're never growing old, just growing wiser (and in my case, more set in my ways). I'm so sorry about the stress in your household. I know how that can trigger all sorts of things, from eating poorly to insomnia to a general disinterest in working out. Stay strong, both of you!

As for me: It's now approaching the dinner hour, and I've not had any Valentine's Day sweets! DH is working late tonight--and how is this different from any other night, you may ask?--so there will be no extra-special dinner. Hard to fall off the wagon when there's no wagon waiting to take you for a ride. (Hmmm, not sure that's the phrasing I want to use....)

 

[Big Vic]

Good evening Lean Meaners!

3 miles on the TM this evening. Feet are doing fairly well.

Had a follow up with the Doc this afternoon. Lungs are clear, but she fussed at me about not taking my cholesterol medicine all of the time. Heck, I gotta give her something to fuss at me for.

Debra – WTG with the running and XT. What you do on your wagon, in the privacy of your home, is none of our business.

Maria – WTG with the 8.22 miler!

Stacie – WTG with the 3 miler in the rain! Great job with the weekly activities too!

Beth – Stay focused, and thanks for the info on the socks.