Weighing, waiting and the bliss of cross-training

I weighed in this week and I was up a bit - 206.2. Pfffffft ... but I'm totally letting myself off the hook a little bit, because it's Nature's Special Time and I know I'm Bloaty the Elf. Yes, I'm pretty sure that means I will not make it to the under-200 club by the time the Shamrock Shuffle rolls around. But I'm okay with that.

Also because I'm putting myself on mandatory rest, so I'm not getting as much working out in these days as usual. First of all, work is requiring some long hours these days. I'm getting to the gym or to the road for a run, but not as often or for as long as usual. But the actual reason for the rest is ... yeah, my left Achilles is totally fucking with me.

The good news is, I recognize the pain, so I'm resting immediately, rather than thinking this is something I can work through and causing greater injury. So, we wait. We ice. We sit with our feet up. The Shuffle is March 25, and I think I'll hold off running (at least anything over a mile) until then.

Having a new, fresh injury pop up has an interesting side effect: gratitude. See, my right Achilles has healed to the point that I forgot what it felt like. I completely forgot the pain, how it felt to have a constant limp. So this gentle reminder has made me feel grateful that I have healed, and come back stronger than ever.

It also made me realize that I have done what I set out to do. All I asked from my legs is that they allow me one half marathon. Just let me do this one thing, and everything else will be gravy.

I'm sitting - metaphorically speaking - in gravy. I can't let myself forget that. So I will give myself however much time I need to heal, and I'll be grateful for it.

Tomorrow, Linda and I will be volunteering for our first race. Good timing, because I wouldn't want to run it, anyway. I'm looking forward to giving back to the race community. I think it will be meaningful. I also think I'll still have breakfast afterward.

And in the meanwhile, there are lots of things I can still do. Bike (oh, how I love spin class!), run, elliptical, walk (carefully) ... I'm in a better place now to continue working out even without running than I've ever been in before.

So here goes ... the continuing saga of my shrinking ass. Stay tuned.

Weighing in, setting goals, tri-ing new things

I feel like I've been stuck and yet not for about a year.

I wanted to weigh less than 200 pounds for last year's Shamrock Shuffle. As it turned out, I wasn't able to run the Shuffle ... and I also never did reach my goal. So today when I got on the scale and it read 205, I thought to myself ... I can do this.

The Shamrock Shuffle this year is on March 25. That's 20 days from today, or a little over two weeks. It will mean a whole lot of discipline, but I think I can do it. Or I can at least come close. So I'm gonna try.

As of this morning, I'm back to tracking my food and exercise, and my miles. I missed a few days in my running/walking streak (which depressed the hell out of me) so I kinda derailed myself, emotionally. I'm gonna let that go, and just move forward. Fitness is not an all-or-nothing proposition; it's not about getting it "right" all the time, it's about doing better, whenever you can.

Not gonna lie ... coming back from the Princess Half was a little soul-jarring. After a weekend of truly feeling like a princess, and eating anything I wanted, coming back was hard. Re-entry is always tough after a perfect break from reality, but this was something else entirely. After reaching such a monumental goal, what was left?

The half was always my end game. I would get there, and then be satisfied. I would finish, and then I'd stop. But that's not where my heart is. Now, it's about improving. It's about next year. It's about the next 40 years. And it's a little goose-bumpy. Having let go of the let down, I got back to the gym this weekend. I ran and lifted weights, and I swam. It felt good. It felt ... endorphin-y. So today, in celebration of my newfound commitment, I registered for two more events: a 5K and my first triathlon.

Yeah. I said that out loud. A tri.

April 21, I'm doing the Indoor Tri at Lifetime Fitness in Orland Park. I might die during the swim portion, but what the hell ... it'll be fun.

So, ever forward we go. Out of my post-princess funk, and into whatever my fitness future brings.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon

It's hard to believe that a week ago, I was in Orlando.

It's hard to believe that I made a plan, and stuck with it.

It's hard to believe that I've completed a half marathon.

What a year it's been. In January 2011, when my sister Kathie was preparing for her first Princess Half, I was so jealous; I wanted to be there. But there was no way I could do it. I'd only been running for a few months, so I said, "Next year."

I am notorious for making big plans and having zero follow-through, but not this time. No, this time, I did it.

It was an incredibly emotional weekend. You cannot run (or, in my case, run/walk) 13.1 miles and not somehow be changed by it. You ask the body to allow you to complete this race. You prepare your body to do it by training over several months. And then, one morning, you get up at 3 a.m. ... and you do it.

Here's how the weekend progressed:

Thursday, February 23 - the night before we left - was snowy. Crap-ass snowy. I had friends whose flights were cancelled, and they ended up driving to Florida. We were lucky. The morning of Feb. 24 was still snowy, but somehow our flight was still scheduled. Jenn and I took off for the airport.

We checked our bags, got on the plane, and kept our fingers crossed. Soon, we were on our way. Not without making a new friend, however. Seated next to us was a young lady named Cindy, who was also running the race. What are the chances? She was awesome. Little did I know, we had not seen the last of her.

Once we landed, we got our bags and went about meeting up with our sister Kathie and friend Carrie. They picked us up in the rental car (NITRO!) and off we went to the Expo.

Me, expo-ready.

Holy crap. I've never seen so many vendors ... so much stuff that I wanted! It was pretty amazing. I bought myself a new pair of headphones (so I could stop stealing them from Jenn) and a running belt to hold my camera. I wanted to buy a lot more!

We headed to the hotel (Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - LOVE!) and got ready to head to the Pasta in the Park Party. Such a great idea! Runners come together for an evening of food, fun and ... you guessed it ... princesses!

"Take your dream and hold it close to your heart." That's me, Jenn, Aurora, Kathie and Carrie at the Pasta in the Park Party.

Race Day morning dawned bright and early. Like, ass-crack-of-dawn early. Like, 3 a.m. Somehow, everyone but me seemed able to look human. I, on the other hand, looked like I was sleeping. I was so excited, and a little nervous. On the long walk to the start corrals, we met up with a friend!

Cindy from the plane, and me.

Yup; sweet Cindy, our row-mate on the flight down, found us en route to the corrals. And by some stroke of luck (or the fact that she totally gave herself WAY too much time to finish the race) she ended up in my corral. So I had someone to be nervous with after Kath and Carrie stopped to pee, and Jenn headed toward her corral.

It was night-dark, and we were surrounded by 15,000 like-minded people. Ahem, princesses. Amazing.

When the first corral was getting ready to start, the electricity in the air was incredible. Fireworks. The Fairy Godmother. And tears. I couldn't stop crying. Next up, Corral B. That's where Kath and Carrie were. I sent my best wishes their way, knowing they would be strong throughout.

Soon, it was Corral E, Jenn's corral. In two more starts, it would be time for me and Cindy to go! With the Corral E fireworks, I cried a little again, because there goes my sister. A few years ago, with a leukemia diagnosis and an uncertain future, this wouldn't be possible. And here she was - a running princess.

Then, it was time. We walked toward the start. The Fairy Godmother greeted us. She bibbidi-bobbidied, the fireworks went off ... and it was GO TIME!

It's weird, running along the streets of Disney World in the pitch dark. Really, truly weird. Before I knew it, two things happened. First came the realization that I had to pee. Second, the entertainment began. This is Disney, you know, so there was constantly something to hold your attention. People on stilts, high-fiving the crowd! So cool. I snapped what I knew was a blurry photo ... and my camera died. DAMMIT. Like, dead dead dead. The lens wouldn't retract. So I put it in my pocket and kept running.

Until I got to the first set of porta-potties. That's another thing Disney does really well. It seemed like whenever I thought I could use a bathroom, or a drink of water, or some BioFreeze (this stuff is magic) ... there it was. It's like they just don't miss a trick.

So I did my bathroom thing, accepted the fact that I'd have to go 13 without a camera, and got into my groove. I was slow - I'm always slow. This should come as no surprise. But man, did it feel incredible to be in this place, where so many of my best memories are, doing something like this.

I think I was at about mile 3 when it hit me. There are thousands upon thousands - hundreds of thousands, probably - of people at Disney World on any given day. I was one of just 16,000 who chose to start this day in this way. It's a pretty exclusive club. If that doesn't make you feel special, nothing will.

I wish I had photos to help tell the story, but I'll have to do my best with my words. Again ... kaput camera. Anyway, before I knew it, we were heading toward the Magic Kingdom. Soon we were running into the backstage area, and employees and families were there to cheer us on. Turning down Main Street and seeing the castle for the first time ... yeah, I cried again. It was just so hard to believe how many people got up so early to cheer us on.

We turned to head toward Tomorrowland, and around the back of the castle in Fantasyland. Finally it was time to approach, and run through, the castle. Herald trumpeters were perched atop the archway, announcing the arrival of stream after stream of runners. And I started to cry.

Oh, shut up.

It was unreal, running through the castle. How many times did I walk through as a child, marveling at the mosaics? How many times did I dream about what was inside? And here I was, an athlete at age 45, running through the place that has always given me happiness. Hell, I'm crying now, just writing about it.

Leaving the castle, there are even more cheers and even more fans. And off you run, for the second half of the race.

Here's where it got kinda tough, but at this point I also knew I would finish. There was a sign that said "Halfway There. Time to Get Stronger". And I kept running. I took more frequent walking breaks in the second half, but I kept running. I even ate Gu. The things a girl will do for energy!

The rest of the race, up until the finish, was pretty much just "run run run walk cry", so I won't bore you with it.

Soon, we were approaching Epcot, and the journey was nearing it's end. We entered the theme park and circled Spaceship Earth - THAT was cool. Upon our exit, we passed the gospel choir, which I'd been warned would be a highlight. They were rocking out to "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee", and I started crying. Again. They were amazing.

Running past them, I exited Epcot and could see the finish line. By this point, I was just a bundle of emotion. Time to dig deep. Time to finish strong. Hell, time to finish, period! Off I ran ... and crossed the finish line. And immediately started to weep.

Looking to my left, I saw Kathie and Carrie waiting for me, I waved, and I wept. An elderly gentleman put my medal around my neck, and I hugged him and thanked him. I stopped to have my photo taken, and made my way toward the Race Retreat.

Me, just after finishing, with my medal. And what Mike Rice insists is a hidden Mickey made of sweat.

At this point, I was completely grateful to my sister for treating me to entry into the Race Retreat. We got a chill towel, and breakfast, and a bloody mary. It was awesome; definitely something I would recommend for any Disney Race. I don't think I'll go without it for any Disney half in the future; it added a measure of pampering to a tough day, and I loved that. Plus, bacon.
The rest of that day was spent in the Animal Kingdom and at dinner at Yachtsmen's Steakhouse. Dad had sent money along with Kathie to treat us all for that meal, which Linda joined us for. It was a wonderful celebration of accomplishment. I still felt like an absolute princess.

That feeling stuck with me well into the next day, too, as all of us (sans Linda, who had an early flight home) went to Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom for breakfast with the princesses. Snow White, Aurora, Belle and Ariel were our hosts, and it was delicious and so much fun. Cinderella Castle. I ran through there.

We tooled around the Kindom for awhile, taking Jungle Cruise, riding through Pirates and visiting the Haunted Mansion. We had our pictures taken with Donald Duck (who never wears pants) and shopped our way down Main Street. Too soon, it was time to head back to the airport.
And just like that, it was over. In a way, I can't believe I did it. In another, I can't believe I ever doubted. One thing I know for sure is that I cannot wait to go back.

For the record ... here are my results:

Distance: 13.1 miles
Clock Time: 4:01:36
Net Time: 3:24:29
Overall Place: 14664 / 16906
Gender Place: 13666 / 15802
Division Place: 1183 / 1417
5K Split: 48:40
10K Split: 1:35:16
15K Split: 2:25:31

One week

So for the past couple weeks, I've been fighting what I jokingly call Death Plague. Mostly just a nasty headcold, but it makes me feel like shit, to be honest. So when Valentine's Day came and I really felt like crap on a stick, I began to worry.

That night, I had to suck it up; after all, the show must go on! I was in a play that night, and there was no way I was going to let the production down. After all, it's a two-person cast. If I didn't make it, it would become a one-man show, a reading of letters from himself to himself. No, a single person cannot perform a play called "Love Letters". So I got my rear in gear and let adrenaline carry me through.

Then Wednesday dawned, and I called in sick. I never call in sick. I just did not feel up to vertical. I took a day to rest ... and that day turned into two. This morning, I saw the doctor. I'm taking an antibiotic, and hoping for the best.

I'm a little worried, because one week from tomorrow, I leave for Orlando. In one week, the journey that's taken me a full year to prepare for will officially begin.

Am I nervous? Hell yes. And being sick doesn't help. But I'm determined. I keep seeing myself crossing the finish line; I'm so excited to do that, to finish something I've worked so hard to prepare for.

I will be among the slowest on the course. Even after a year of preparation, running is really tough and slow for me. I hope to be able to complete the half marathon in under a 15-minute mile. If I'm able to do that, I'll finish in roughly three and a half hours. Am I ready? I don't know. Are you ever ready? Can you be ready for your first big race? I know that I've trained relatively well - as well as a heavy girl with a travel schedule can train - up until now. Last Sunday I ran 11, in the company of good friends, and it was painfully slow ... but I still went fast than the required 16-min-mile, over terrain that was pretty much snow-covered all the way.

So for now, I have visions of finishing and hopes for feeling better. I have a packing list and a playlist. I have a week to acknowledge that something that started out as a little wish is within my grasp.

On your mark ...

This goes to 11

Yesterday, I completed my longest run to date. Eleven miles.

Today, my legs and bum hurt. Coincidence? I think not.

The thing is, I didn't have to do it alone. I think that's incredible. I think the fact that my friend Linda came along is pretty awesome, because she only had 10 on her plan. I think Di and Kristen joining us, however, is even more incredible, because they're not training for a half marathon at all. They're just supportive and awesome.

It was a hard run. The pat was pretty snowy, and in places kinda icy, too. Plus ... 11 miles is a long way. It's the full way around Busse Woods, and then a little further. It's borderline crazy. But that's what friends do; they come out to cheer you on when things get tough. I'm lucky beyond words.

At around mile six, my hips started to hurt. By mile nine, I wanted to die. The loop around the forest preserve is 7.7, so we went all the way around and then some. I had to take lots of walk breaks, especially toward the end. But I learned a lot, too. For instance, I need to add a little something to my water - PowerAde or Gatorade - because I had the shakes at the end. I probably need to amp up my nutrition plan, too.

There were a few good signs on the run, in addition to the soreness. I did not cramp up at mile seven, as I have my last two long runs, and I did not have any pain in my right leg or ankle - not even in the Achilles. All good signs.

So we ran. I was exhausted, but certainly not too tired to enjoy a monstrous breakfast with my besties. Seriously, I am so fortunate. These women encouraged me for 11 miles on a cold, snowy Sunday in February. What more could I possible ask for?

Clockwise from the top: Kristen, Diane, Linda and me.

Super Bowl Shuffle 2012

Today brought me to another one of those full-circle moments - the opportunity to participate in a race for the second year in a row. The town of Geneva puts on a 5K the morning of the Super Bowl (this is the second year) and it's a great small-town race. Last year, Linda and I did it, and this year our friends Megan and Kristen joined us.

Meg, me, Linda and Kristen.

This was the perfect day for a run. Sunny, chilly (low 30s) and clear. (Last year? Yeah. Torrential snow.) So I was ready to run. A little nervous after yesterday's eight torturous miles, but ready.

My run was good. Not the PR I wanted (I feel like I may forever be chasing the elusive 13-minute mile) but one of my best runs to date. I finished 700th out of 796, in 40:57 or a 13:13 minute mile. (Last year, by comparison - and to be fair, the ground was covered in ice and snow - I finished in 47:37, running a 15:22 minute mile, 335 out of 361. It really is about progress.)

The day didn't end with the race, though. My girlfriends and I went out to lunch (stumbling upon a breakfast place that served amazing bloody marys after we learned the taco place was closed), the local running store and then to the Chocolate Cafe. Seriously, can you imagine a better day for a group of women? I didn't think so.

It was a pretty perfect day, and now I'm left to relax and prepare for the week ... and try to come to grips with the fact that, three weeks from now, I will have run my first half marathon. I'm nervous and excited, and I feel like I'm ready. But for the next couple days, I'm going to take it easy on my legs. They are tired.

Operation 2012

Hello, and welcome to February.

While I won't call it a resolution, I did begin 2012 with a plan. It's simple, really: Move with intention for at least one mile, every day. Run or walk, for one mile, every day, for one year. Create a 366-day streak of activity.

One month in, and I can celebrate 31 days of success. I use two different apps to track - Nike+ GPS for running and Map my Run for walking - so I keep the activities separate. The Nike app is a little generous, so my actual miles are actually a bit less than this indicates, but does that matter? Nope. Because I've done it.

My longest run is nine miles. Shortest walk, exactly one mile. And there's everything in between. There's a two-mile run simply because I was feeling good and wanted to go further than the "required" one. There are a few 1.7 mile walks over lunch when I needed to blow off steam. And there are training runs.

Dear GOD, the training runs! Some of them like to 'bout kill me. Speedwork is not my friend. But each time I'm out there, I'm adding on the miles.

I'm proud to say that my combined total miles for January is ... drumroll please ... 97.85. That's almost 100 miles, in one month!

Yep. I'm a little proud. So, welcome to February. This is the final month of training for the Princess Half Marathon. After this month, I expect the mileage to back off a bit. But I will definitely keep pressing forward!

As a little add-on this month, I think I'm going to go back to my push-ups and planks. As many push-ups, from my toes, as I can do, every day. Plus, hold a plank as long as I can every day. A few more minutes at the end of each day, just for me? Yeah. I can do that.

How 'bout you? Do you have an Operation 2012 goal? It's not too late to start. It's never too late to start.