In Search of My Body vol.9 - I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

[cantwaitvaca09]

Morning ladies. Just getting up and ready for my 5k today. Kind of awesome, my parents are doing the walk portion of the race and it's the first time my dad will ever be at one of my races! Oh did I mention the race goes a half block from the street my dad grew up on (and my grandfather still lives on)? I'm looking forward to it just for the location.

I've got to go get ready. I'll be back later.

Have A Great Race Meg!!

 

[goofyfan-12]

Good luck at the race Meg!

Kat - awesome run yesterday! Whoo hoo! Yi didn't realize that you added more races to your schedule. Look at you go!

Jo - so happy to hear that your run went well! I power walked the princess at close to a 16 minute pace so you are on track to finish before I did! You are so doing this! You go girl!

Finished my 80 mile ride yesterday and it went so much better than last week's ride. I felt night and day better than I did last week! It was awesome! I didn't have to walk up any hills - that is the first time that has ever happened I think! I didn't fall trying to uncoil - whoo hoo! And the Devon twenty miles were just awesome! I actually was in the front of the group and not the back! In short, this ride was a huge confidence booster!

Off to start my day - slowly...

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Finished my 80 mile ride yesterday and it went so much better than last week's ride. I felt night and day better than I did last week! It was awesome! I didn't have to walk up any hills - that is the first time that has ever happened I think! I didn't fall trying to uncoil - whoo hoo! And the Devon twenty miles were just awesome! I actually was in the front of the group and not the back! In short, this ride was a huge confidence booster!

Off to start my day - slowly...

WOW Paula. 80 Miles. I am totaly inspired by you!!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

crazy weekend for me. I've been reading, just no time right now for a proper response!

Eating well, working out, trying to figure out how to cram 48 hours worth of work into a 24 hour day. Tomorrow promises to be at least equally as insane <sigh> Hopefully I'll get a moment before work to check in with a proper post!

Missing you all! I'll be back soon. Promise!

 

[poppinspal]

Happy Monday.

After my race yesterday my parents and I went out to an apple orchard for the better part of the day. By the time I got home I was so exhausted I curled up on the couch and watched the Patriots then went to bed around 9. Guess I was a little tired.

Paula- Sounds like an awesome ride! I always feel with running that when I have a stinker of a run it makes me appreciate the next good run even more. Oh and 80 miles... as a non-biker that just blows my mind.

I hope everyone has a terrific day. Oh and I'll have a mini race report to share later because this race was an emotional one.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Oh and 80 miles... as a non-biker that just blows my mind.

as a BIKER this blows my mind! 80 miles. Eighty. 8-0. That's a lot of ground to cover. So, so very inspired by you Paula

Meg- looking forward to your race report!

Everyone - Happy Monday! Hope it's a good week for you!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Happy Monday all.
Rest day for me. Plus its TOM, (sorry for that info)
I feel gross. UGG

 

[goofyfan-12]

Wow - quiet day around here... Hope everyone is alright.

Not much to report tonight. JC was moved to tomorrow and no workout today other than a walk to Starbucks which included climbing a pretty big hill. I feel slug like... oh bother. Off to hydrate some and settle in with a magazine before before calling it a night.

Ciao'

 

[poppinspal]

Sorry if this report is a little long for just another 5k but it's a story I felt like sharing with you all.

So yesterday was my 7th race since March, so far I'm up to 7 races in 7 months. (If next month goes according to plan it will be 9 races in 8 months.) Yesterday's race was put on by this group called the Emerald Society, it's a Boston Police group. It was a halfway to St Patricks Day race with all the money going to a charity called Cops for Kids with Cancer. All the money goes to families of local kids with cancer to help them pay medical bills. So add in the fact that this race is run in the part of Boston my dad grew up in and it was a no brainer for my September run. (My grandfather and one of my uncles still live in the house they grew up in which was about a block from the race course.)

I met my parents at the race because they had gone away and went right to the race. My parents walked it and said the race was extremely walker friendly and that there was a good number of walkers. Now someone might not believe a person could be as absent minded as this but... I forgot to eat before the race. (It started at 11am.) Luckily they had plenty of food both before and after the race so I grabbed a quick light snack to eat. So when it was time to start the race I said bye to my parents and got in line with the runners. Just as the race started I looked over and saw my parents standing with my uncle. He'd come down to the start to see us and he was waving away. The sound system at the start was also blasting "Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphy's. They're a local band I love and this song just got me pumped. So just a little before the first mile marker I'm on the left side as we go around a bend and on the right side I see two of my aunts, another uncle, two of my young cousins and my grandfather all waving furiously to me and shouting.

Now I should cut in here and explain that my grandfather is very sick and has been for about nine years now. He had a stroke and went to see a doctor... the doctor said he wasn't and that he should just go home and rest. Turns out he had a stroke and it ended up affecting one side of his body and made him very week. He ended up developing dementia which we don't have a history of in our family and the doctors think it was related to the stroke. So nine years later he is very frail and his dementia can be better and worse depending. On "good" days he knows whats happened to him and so he hates to leave the house much and at this point needs to be in a wheelchair because he can't stand for long periods.

So my aunts had gotten him in his wheelchair and wheeled him two blocks down to see my run. I could see that while he knew I was running by that he couldn't pick me out in the crowd so I made my way over and gave him a hug and a kiss. My aunts were yelling at me to run, run. But as I did get back to running I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes. It meant a lot to have all of them there but having him there was just such an emotional thing for me.

The rest of the race went well, at one point there were bag pipers playing and it ran through this park area called the Arnold Arboretum which is an amazing area but it was almost all hills. I usually try to really push hard for the last half mile or so but I somehow missed the three mile marker and I couldn't see the finish till I was right on top of it. My time was ok but I realized I could have gone faster and I also had stopped at one point so my mom could take my picture. (The runners passed the walkers on the way towards the finish.) But I left feeling amazing because my family was all there. I did go back to find my parents after I finished and walked the last mile in with them.

I have to say for only the second year of this race it was really just so well run. After the race they had Irish preformers, a free beer for all 21+ participants, hoodsies(are these a local thing? man was I happy to have this at the end of the race) and they were doing a raffle for the charity. I bought a tee shirt from the Boston Police and they gave out really nice shirts for pre-registered runners. The course was well marked in terms of mile markers and they had signs telling you there were water stations coming up. They had people at mile one and two letting you know your time. I actually really hope to do this race again next year, it was just so well run and for such a good cause.

After the race my parents and I went to an apple orchard to get some cider donuts, some apple cider and some caramel apples. By the time I got home I was just wiped out but it was a great day and great weather for a race.

Oh and here's me at the T stop. (Boston's subway line.) This is the stop by the starting line and it's near my grandfather's house.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Meg, Wonderful Race Report.
I am glad our grandfather was having a good day and was able to see you.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

After the race they had Irish preformers, a free beer for all 21+ participants, hoodsies(are these a local thing? man was I happy to have this at the end of the race)

Great RR Meg! Hoodsies. Yeah, I think they are a regional thing. We have a Hood plant near us, but I'm pretty sure they do only milk there, not ice cream.

Paula - It doesn't surprise me that you felt sluggish yesterday. After all, you had riddn 80 freakin' miles on Saturday! Good luck tonight at JC!

Nothing new or exciting to report here today. Still on a tight food intake plan, still working out, still in over my head with life Mid October things will settle down to a more "normal" level of chaos for me, but until then I just need to keep chugging along here

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

HI all...

I am in a funk, had run club speed training tonight 3.6 mile then the rain came in.

Here's the problem. I do love to run or run/walk. I am so happy about my 6 on Saturday, but no one in the group is in my shape, no one is as slow as me. So I come back feeling like crap each time because I am so far behind.

I know get over it right?

 

[poppinspal]

Great RR Meg! Hoodsies. Yeah, I think they are a regional thing. We have a Hood plant near us, but I'm pretty sure they do only milk there, not ice cream.

I actually don't love hood's ice cream but even as a kid my dad's family had hoodsies at every family event so they are kind of a little cup of terrific. A little cup with half vanilla and half chocolate ice cream. I want one now.

Thanks guys for reading my RR!

Jo- I know how hard it is to not be as strong as the people you compete with. Have I ever mentioned that when I go play hockey with the guys on Thursday nights that they are all so much better then me? These guys played on all star teams in high school and I only played competitively for three years and I'm the only girl. There are guys who will literally pass around me as if I'm not on the ice. So why do I do it? A major reason is because I love it. It also motivates me to work hard, to get better. And weeks when I make an amazing play, it makes me happy that I've worked so hard. Do you remember when you couldn't do six miles? Because you can now. So you're not the fastest in your run club but your a faster you. Its totally normal to have down days but remember you'll reach your goals in time.

 

[HockeyKat]

Jo, I wouldn't say get over it. I would be really intimidated, to be honest. I think it would ultimately be good for me but I would have a hard time at first.

Like Meg, I play hockey with girls MUCH better than me. One girl on my team played division I women's college hockey for Michigan State. I am the 16mm to her olympic trials equivalent, if you compare running to hockey.

How does your run club handle the different paces? Does everyone start together then you are on your own?

Mine has so many people (490!) at all levels, that we split into strictly enforced pace groups. You can move group from week to week, but once in a group, you must stay with the group unless you are really struggling and a group leader will stay back with you (and next week you then must drop back unless it is injury or heat-related).

 

[goofyfan-12]

HI all...

I am in a funk, had run club speed training tonight 3.6 mile then the rain came in.

Here's the problem. I do love to run or run/walk. I am so happy about my 6 on Saturday, but no one in the group is in my shape, no one is as slow as me. So I come back feeling like crap each time because I am so far behind.

I know get over it right?

Jo - I know how you feel. I was / am in the same situation with my cycling group. It csnbe rough on you mentally though, but you have to remember that we all start out somewhere. Give yourselftge grace to see in. You will get there and you would be surprised at how much respect you will get from the others for trying.

JC went well - down 1.5 this week.

Not much going on here tonight. Just holding down the couch and loving it.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Thank you all for the "pick me up talk"
We have about 15 in the group and we all start the same then are at our own pace. No one is ever mean or rude to me and the coach's do check on me from time to time. You are right, I am very very happy to be where I am now from not even running a mile last November. I am still very much looking forward to the princess.


Paula. Down on lb's again!! Great Job!!!

 

[poppinspal]

Paula- Way to go, another loss! You're doing awesome.

Jo- I was thinking about you this morning when I woke up. I should mention that I do think its ok to have those days where you're frustrated, just don't let that make you stop doing something you enjoy.


So I'm down 1.6 lbs which I'm telling myself I have to stop thinking that its just loosing the pound I gained last week. I honestly think work has been whats keeping me from doing better with weight loss lately. The girls I work with keep a stash of chocolate in the fridge in my class and I indulge more then I should. They are also all constantly in my ear telling me not to take off any more weight and the little jokes about me being anorexic are old already. I know I have lost a lot of weight and that I'm at a healthy weight. I also remember what I look like 10 pounds smaller. I know what my body can handle and I would never starve myself. Oh and if they try to explain to me one more time that muscle weighs 3lbs more I will scream. I'd rather they just not ask me about it if they aren't going to be supportive.

Sorry rant over, I've needed to get that off my chest for weeks.

 

[DisneyGalUK]

Hi everyone!

Sorry Ive been MIA (again) life gets in the way! Too much work, still plodding along with exercise, still tracking - same old same old!

Paula - 80 miles? You have officially blown my mind! You rock! Oh, and excellent loss again!

Jo - Im not a runner so I can't offer too much in the way of advice on that but I can tell you that I have days where everything is just too much. I cant complete a workout, when I go walking/slow jogging im slower than everyone else...the usual! I agree with Meg, even on your worst day you are still doing more than you thought you would, you enjoy it so don't let a bad day stop you doing something you enjoy!

Nancy - Im with you, busy busy busy!

Kat, E, EE, Ronda, Lisa, Everyone - Hi!

So I'm down 1.6 lbs which I'm telling myself I have to stop thinking that its just loosing the pound I gained last week. I honestly think work has been whats keeping me from doing better with weight loss lately. The girls I work with keep a stash of chocolate in the fridge in my class and I indulge more then I should. They are also all constantly in my ear telling me not to take off any more weight and the little jokes about me being anorexic are old already. I know I have lost a lot of weight and that I'm at a healthy weight. I also remember what I look like 10 pounds smaller. I know what my body can handle and I would never starve myself. Oh and if they try to explain to me one more time that muscle weighs 3lbs more I will scream. I'd rather they just not ask me about it if they aren't going to be supportive.
Sorry rant over, I've needed to get that off my chest for weeks.

This.
I could be living your work life! First of all, well done on the loss!
Oh my, I thought my old job was bad for the Tin O' Sin, but this one - we actually have a FILING CABINET of sin! It is always full of biscuits, crisps, snacks, you name it its there. If I have something I feel like crap, if I decline and say im healthy eating Im anorexic and need to get 'some meat on my bones'. Erm no, I know what is a healthy weight for me, Im a grown woman who has rarely missed a meal in her life so Im hardly going to start starving myself now!

We can be each others support Meg - we'll tell each other daily to stay away from the treats!

Hope everyone is having a great day

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Kelly & Meg.
They ladies at your work that are saying you are skin and bones if you eat healthy and that you need to eat more are just JEALOUS!!!! They can't eat healthy themselves and seeing you do it makes them feel like Sh!t!!!
I know cuz I use to think the same thing.

DON"T LET THEM IN YOUR HEAD!!!!!




Ok, I have some news.
As you know last Nov is when we found out about my fathers heart issues (he's only 57!) So that month I took myself to the doc for blood work.
All was OK, but stuff was boarder line high... Umm Oh yeah, I was also 200LB
OMG my DH don't even know that, (don't tell him)


So I took my butterbutt to the doc again last Friday, and...drum roll please...
I have lost 21lb's and my bloodwork that was board is now NORMAL..
ME NORMAL

I am still slow running and I am so very knowing what I have done this 10 months. Slow and Steady said the turtle~~~


Thank you all for being here for me, Thank you so much.


Nancy, Hope today was not as crazy for you

Erika, Amiee hope you both are well.

Kat, hows hockey?

Ronda, Lisa HI

 

[poppinspal]

Kelly- Oh I feel for you, a filing cabinet of goodies would be hard to resist. I work at a day care so we have a cabinet of snacks for the kids. Gold fish, cereal, crackers, graham crackers, raisins. I've worked very hard to not be one of those teachers who goes into the snack cabinet when i get the munchies. Today I resisted the chocolate in the fridge as well. One day at a time. We will definitely do it together.

I guess it's also hard for me when these girls make their anorexic comments because some of them are smaller then me. I'm not saying they're anorexic but hello do you not want me to be as small as you? Is that the problem? Have I mentioned I work with a bunch of mean girls? They also think it's okay to have meals like... chicken finger pizza with a side of mozzarella sticks and some m&ms. Sure you're lucky you can eat that and stay skinny but let me know how healthy you really are if that's the case.

Jo- Glad to hear you're test came back healthy! It's a great feeling, isn't it? I'm heading back to the doctors next month for my first physical in two years and I'm going to be interested to see how it goes for me.

So I had a break down at work. Like I was ready to walk out, which I can not afford to do. Obviously I have issues with some of the people I work with. I want to say there are a few amazing people there too. But sadly that doesn't balance out the 10 mean girls I work with. I found out last night that my co-teacher (who my boss told me was wonderful to work with when I switched classes) was failed to do something big and was caught by a parent. (I can't go into details.) And I've been really struggling to get her to do anything. She complains about things constantly and doesn't want to do whats asked of her. When my boss talked to me about it I just kind of lost it. I flat out told my boss that I thought this girl and another drag other teachers down with their negative attitude and that I think it really affects things. Don't get me wrong I'm aware that there are difficult people at every work place but where I work we seem to have a bunch of them and these two girls head them up. And they are always annoyed with me for following the rules. Then when i tell my boss all this she says... Oh yes, I knew before you went into that room what it would be like for you. So you know you have a teacher who is that difficult to work with and who isn't doing what she should and you put me in her room without warning? And you keep her on to take care of kids?

Is this really what work is suppose to be like? I hate to believe that work is always this miserable for people. I just needed to rant, my dad thinks I should put away the feelings when I leave work but sometimes you just need to get it out.