Run today

Just an update on my goal that I posted yesterday.

I had to take an extra-long lunch today due to office time constraints, so I decided to do a full 5K and see how long it took me. That way, I would know how much work I have to do in order to beat my 2005 time :)

I am pleased to say that I did the full 5K in just under 39 minutes (38:57 or 8, to be exact)!

Granted, that was on a treadmill, so I didn't have the difficulty of elevation changes added in, but I think that's pretty stinkin' good. That time included a warm-up of 6 minutes at 4.0 mph, then alternating periods of 5 minutes at 5.5 mph followed by 3 minutes at 4.0 mph (so running for 5 minutes, walking for 3). I'm sure that I'll finish up with a good run/sprint at the end of the actual 5K--or at least, that's what I'm planning to do. I think I can shave off 2 minutes in the next three weeks, don't you? :)

The Latest

I'm sure people get tired of hearing about what's going on with my weight loss, but you know, this blog is more for me than anybody else, so I'm not stopping anytime soon. I need this blog to look at where I've been, and I need to post pictures so I can truly appreciate how far I've come. Now that I put that out there, here's the latest in my life.

I'm still right around 212 as far as weight goes. I think I may have hit a weight-loss plateau, which honestly is all right with me. The weight is redistributing itself due to my exercise, I'm almost positive, because...guess what? I bought SIZE 12 PANTS. They were on clearance at Kohl's, and they fit great. Here's a couple of pictures of my outfit today:

And that's a size L top that I also got on clearance. If I didn't have such a saggy midsection and therefore prefer a little baggier of a shirt, I may have even gotten an M. That is just WEIRD.

Do I like running yet? Nope. I mean, I feel good when I'm done with it, but I still have a hard time getting through the whole workout. My right hip has been hurting a little bit after each run (I do it 2-3 times a week), so I wonder if my running gait needs correcting. I should go to a running shoe store and see if they can help.

Up until now, my goal as it relates to the 5K has been to finish in less than 40 minutes. Actually, you know what? I did a 5K back in 2005. I was 23 years old and in some of the best shape of my life back then. I just looked up my time for that race, and it was 37:14. New goal? Beat that time. I want to finish this 5K in 37 minutes or less. I can do it.

Side note: I went with my family to a Brazilian Steakhouse on Monday, can you believe it? It's an all-you-can-eat buffet with loads and loads of some of the tastiest meat you will ever eat. They let me pay the child's price and I had everything from garlic sirloin to linguiça to filet mignon to pao de queijo. It was SO GOOD. And I didn't even overeat. I knew my limits and I kept to them. It sure felt good, though. I love me some Brazilian meats.

Another "Anniversary"

I know lately all I've been posting about is how "it's been a year since such-and-such happened," so please forgive me if I do one more. This is an anniversary that I really don't want to commemorate, but yet I can't help but look back. It was a year ago today that I was lying in bed, going through some of the absolute worst pain of my LIFE (and that includes childbirth). Little did I know that I'd be having another surgery the next day and stay in the hospital for another week. I just re-read my post about that experience, and it brought back a flood of memories about that whole ordeal. My goodness. 

Now, here it is, one year later. I was 365 the day I had surgery, and today I'm about 212. I can eat a lot of things now--portions are still small, of course, and I'm still sensitive to certain foods, but I am so much better off than I was back then. I was one sick woman that day. Now? I'm in a little bit of pain today because of my workout regimen (running is HARD!), but it's a good pain. I almost feel like I can take on the world. What a difference. 

Oh, and I also wanted to post this little picture of flowers, a teddy bear, and chocolates that my husband sent me for Valentines Day yesterday. He even made sure to get me a small box of chocolates because he knows my limits, but yet I can still (slightly) indulge. We had a nice, quiet little evening last night, and we made sure to avoid Café Rio, which was what we had last Valentines Day (and may have contributed to the whole ordeal--I guess we'll never know). Anyway. Yeah.

Exercise!

I'm still training for that 5K! I'm doing this Couch-to-5K plan my sister found online, and it's going pretty well. I discovered today that having a good playlist helps a LOT when it comes to running. If I don't have music in which I can lose myself, I find myself watching the clock and it's so hard to keep moving. Today I ran for 90 seconds, walked 90, ran for 3 minutes, then walked 3 minutes, and I did that cycle twice. Really broke a sweat, which was lovely for the rest of my work day, right? 

Some pictures: 

Look look look! See those baby hairs? That's my hair growing back! As annoying as it is to have these little hairs all over my scalp, I am SO EXCITED to have my thick hair back :)