Where I Struggle and Other Resolutions

Today was a really nice day in Central NY. We hit temperatures in the 40s and it was mostly sunny. Much different than the last few weeks around here so believe me I enjoyed it. I volunteered to work a snow shoe race at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard. It was my first time witnessing a snow shoe race and it was quite fun. I do recreational snow shoeing but I have never competed. When you compete in a snow shoe race you use much smaller snow shoes than the recreational ones and you seem to expense a lot more energy than when you just run. Either way I had a great time and I am so glad I did it.

After the race I had some time to kill before I met my friend Cindy for brunch so I decided to get my run in early instead of waiting until later in the day. I went to Jamesville Beach Park and ran from there. I had to do three miles total and by the time the run was over I had done negative splits. Each mile got faster and I felt great 1 week following the half marathon. Since the park is officially closed for the winter the only place you can park is near the "dog park" area. the dog park area is an open field covered in snow where the dogs can run around unleashed. I had so many dogs come up to me to say hi and they were so excited to be at the park. I have to say it was the happiest place on earth...better than Disney World!!

Following that I met my friend Cindy at the Ruston's Diner in Jamesville. It was good to catch up with her since it has been so long! And I have to admit that my brunch/lunch was fabulous. I am sharing this with you because one of my New Year's Resolutions was to try something new every month. And in January I attended a snow shoe race and went to a diner I have never been. I have always wanted to go to that diner and for several years I lived less than five minutes away but never went...but now that is checked off the list.

Still reflecting on the year and trying to figure things out but there is one thing I am struggling with. As I have shared in the past the Bariatric Surgery is a tool and after the first 12 - 18 months the honeymoon is over and now the real work begins. I struggle with evening eating, after dinner eating...or right before dinner eating if I have gone too long between meals (like tonight). I plan out my breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day. Everything is weighed, measured, and calculated. I record everything I eat but something happens at night when I get home from the library and I start making my meals for the next day. It is becomes a bite of this, or a taste of that...sometimes it becomes mindless. Often times I figure out what I ate and I record that too but I can't let this go on anymore. This could be the reason why I am struggling to lose the last 8 - 12 pounds I would like to lose. I need to focus on this and come up with a plan. There is no easy way...it's always a struggle!!

PS: GO PATRIOTS!!! So excited!!

A great way to kick of my 2018 race calendar!

How did you kick off your 2018? Since it is still January I am still reflecting on the past year and trying to make sure the resolutions I would like to do are a good fit as I shared during my last post. However, yesterday I competed my first endurance race of 2018!

Back in March of 2017 I was visiting a wonderful friend and her family for a few days in Naples, FL. Knowing that I do compete in races they shared with me that Naples has a half marathon in January. After checking it out I made the decision to register and hoped they would want my company again (they did).

On Thursday, January 11th I left upstate NY and some crazy weather patterns (50 degrees to sub zero in the matter of hours) to enjoy the sunshine and warmth of Florida. I have not been disappointed, although I would not mind it a tad bit warmer but I am not complaining. As I sit and write this post I am by my friends pool enjoying the sunshine!

The news reports regarding the weather was a cold front was coming in and with the wind chill it could feel like 30 degrees on Sunday morning. I know my northern friends are laughing at this. Although with the sun and cool temperatures it was perfect running weather, I was a bit nervous because I did not pack for these conditions.

The morning of the race to me was cold but I was going to make the best of it...at least there wasn't snow! I put on my running top, added a long sleeve throw away shirt and my friend Meghan lent me a pair of gloves. I was ready to go. I drove to the start and  there an hour before the gun was to go off. This was such a well organized event. They had parking for the runners in  area parking garages all very close to the start and finish lines with volunteers directing you to the entrances. There was plenty of port-o-potties for us nervous runners and volunteers walking around with "ask me" signs to answer any questions you may have had about the race.

The race was a mass start (with chip times) so we did not have to worry about corrals etc. The gun went off right at 7 AM and we were ready to go before the sun came up. I started my run talking myself though the first mile...don't go out to quickly...set your own pace...run your own race...if you feel good you are probably going way to fast.

Every mile marker on the course had a race clock. As I passed each mile I couldn't believe the times I was seeing. I didn't have my Garmin watch with me during this race because two days earlier it had died on me. I felt a bit naked but following the words of my coach and a few friends I listened to my body to indicate how was feeling. I FELT GREAT! My speed was good and I wasn't feeling tired. I was getting a bit nervous that I was going to hit a wall but that never happened, instead I got a bit faster.

One thing I experienced on this course that has never happened before, between mile 7 & 8 we passed a small church. It was before 9 AM so mass hadn't happened started. Out in front of the church was the Parrish priest sprinkling holy water on the runners as they went by! It made me smile but also reminded me that I was using the gifts that God game me and he was OK with that on a Sunday morning! On the way back from the out and back we passed the church again. This time the bells were ringing to indicated the start of the service and I took it as a sign...I was almost done and I was going to be ok!

I finished the race with a total time of 2:22:16...which was a PR and I had taken over 13 minutes off my time! They did advertise this course as a Flat and Fast course and they were not lying!! It was a wonderful race. Well organized with plenty of volunteers and a great course. It also was nice to have two very dear friends at the finish to cheer me on!

It was a great way to kick off 2018 and look forward to this next year and all the goals I have set! If you are ever in Florida in January and you want to run a half marathon...I strongly encourage you to put this one on you list! I know I will be back again!

Sorry... The Post is One Day Late

I apologize for the delay. I know I promised I would write every Sunday but I was traveling for work yesterday. I drove to Philadelphia, had an event to attend in the afternoon. By the time we were done with the event and had dinner I was too tired to write. I arose this morning, ran along the Delaware River and drove back to Ithaca, NY.

The first full week of January went well for me. It was extremely cold but I still tried to make the best of it and get all my workouts done. I actually got two strength conditioning workouts in this week which was a huge accomplishment for me.

Classes started back up today so my life once again will be workouts, work, and school work. I had a few weeks off, which I took total advantage of and I found myself relaxing a bit. I did notice that due to the fact that I did not have to do school work at night, I was putting my morning workouts off until the afternoon. I can not let that happen for the next 16 weeks. Discipline is the key to all of this. I truly believe, if you want something you will find a way, if not you will find an excuse.

As I mentioned this past week was bitter cold and offered much of the country some strange winter storms. Last Monday I ran 10 miles outside. It was cold, but I dressed the part and got it done. I had double and triple layers on all over my body. Under my winter had I had a winter headband for extra cover to my ears and four layers on the upper portion of my body. The sun was out for most of the run which helped a bit but the wind was tough.

Then, Saturday, January 6th came along. It was -2 degrees and the windchill made it feel like a -25 degrees. I love to run outside but even I know my limit. There was no way I could do it. However, the thought of running on a treadmill for 8 miles sounded insane. Then again I think 2 miles on the treadmill is insane. Instead I went to the Athletic and Events Center at the college where I work and ran on the track. 8 miles completed after running about 64 times around the track. I have to admit I don't know how accurate that last number is, I found it hard to keep track of the number of times I went around. The one thing that kept me entertained was the fact that members of our baseball team were practicing in the batting cages and doing drills. Hoping not to get hit by a baseball made me run a bit faster.

Today was the start of a drop back week, since my half marathon is on Sunday. I had to run 30 minutes and it felt down right balmy, with the temperature registering in at 18 or 20 degrees. I ran along the Delaware River in the Penn's Landing of Philadelphia. Although the air felt pretty good, looking out at the the river covered in chunks of ice made it feel a bit cold.

I hope everyone has a great week. In less than 3 days I will be flying to Florida for some warm weather and half marathon #13

A mid-week update...

I had an extra day off from work today and during my bike workout I was watching a talk show. The talk show was called "Family & Home" or "Home & Family" on the Hallmark Channel (nothing else was on). The hosts were interviewing a woman who was talking about making New Year's Resolutions. She said that she doesn't make them right away. In fact she waits a month to reflect on the past year and she thinks about what she really wants for the new year. After that month of reflection she usually knows what she wants to work on in the New Year or what new things she would like to try.

It made me think about the resolutions I made. Will I stick with them? Did I make the right ones? Will I succeed? I decided I would take the month of January to reflect. To think about the resolutions I made and decide are they the best ones for me? Don't worry I am not going back on my promise of writing my blog on a weekly basis. I know I need to do this and it will be a great place to share my reflections.

Watching this on the Hallmark Channel made me think of something my colleague and I said throughout the month of December...if all else fails you always have the Hallmark Channel. It helped me out today!!

January 2018 will be my time to reflect!!

Happy New Year - A new goal!

A New Year

365 blank pages of a new book

12 chapters to write

How will you write 2018

 

Yes I am will start this blog post by stating the obvious, I have not written a post since September 10, 2017. The last few months have been very busy with work and grad school classes. I started working towards my doctorate in September and that kept me very busy this fall. However, I have missed writing my blog and sharing my stories with you. Writing this blog has always kept me accountable.

I always promised I would share the good, the bad, and the ugly when it came to my training, my weight and within the last 18 months post bariatric surgery updates. Just a week ago on Christmas Eve my cousin asked me if as time has moved on have things gotten easier when it comes to bariatric surgery? My answer was no. Yes, running and my workouts have gotten easier compared to doing it with 100 extra pounds. And, I feel great but you need to stay on top of things at all times.

As you get further and further away from your surgery date, you have more options when it comes to food. You can try more and sometimes the old demons come back to you. You don't want to go backwards but if you aren't paying attention, you find yourself mindlessly eating or taking in foods you really shouldn't. There are still a lot of foods that I don't have any desire to eat but mindless eating is always a problem.

So for 2018 one of my goals and resolutions is to start blogging again. I need to stay accountable to myself and by sharing it all with you, this helps me. I plan to write and update you every Sunday. I am hoping that by being honest with you and myself I will stay focused, catch the mindless eating and work towards my weight/health goals.

On August 17, 2017 I weighed in at 148 pounds. This made a total of 102 pounds down from my highest weight. Since August 17 my weight has been fluctuating +/- a few pounds and as high as 7 pounds. This is so frustrating especially since I do workout and train almost every single day. So it is obvious that I have to work on the mindless eating and watch my calorie intake. I would like to be down to 140 pounds by December 31, 2018. I was at 152.5 pounds on December 31, 2017. I think this is possible. Once again I will share this...this surgery is a tool...not a quick fix...you have to constantly be working it.

I have also been running and training over the last few months so I thought I would share some pictures with you that show some of my accomplishments and some fun I have had.

 In October I went to Detroit with my sister to complete the Detroit Full & Half Marathon. I completed my 3rd full marathon and my sister did her first half marathon. It is an international marathon as the course crosses over into Canada.

It was a great weekend and I would encourage others to head to Detroit for this marathon. I loved the medal and the ribbon had both the US and Canadian flag on it. I PR'd this marathon.

In November, I completed the Turkey Trot in East Longmeadow, MA with my sister and dad. This was my 6th Turkey Trot and I PR'd another race this year. My motto on Thanksgiving is move your feet so you can eat!

 In late November into early December I had to travel for work to DC and NYC. When I travel for work I always pack my running shoes because it is always the best way to see the sights in city. In NY the night before my run they officially lit the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. We couldn't even get close to the area that evening so the next day I got up early...before the sun rose and ran to the tree. It was a great time to be there...all the tourist were still in bed!

DC is always one of my favorite places to run. It is so peaceful in the early morning!!

Below is my workout calendar for December. Three rest days and a lot of running, biking, and swimming.

I started 2018 with a 10+ mile run as I train for another half marathon!!