Motionless

Do you ever feel like sometimes progress just stands still?

My motivation to run has gone up and down and all around lately. I know that the weather-- the activity's energy and feeling in the heat--has been part of it. Hot conditions are an entirely new beast for me to tackle and become comfortable with... I know I am not there yet. It's significantly harder for me to judge my own body's signals because I have never pushed myself in this weather before. Truth be told, rarely have I ever been one to push myself to the limits of full exertion. I am just beginning to understand what the varying levels of exertion my body could handle in spring temperatures. I'm not ready for the seasons to change.

My challenge to lose the extra campaign pounds is now one mostly within my own head... the side challenges are a nice benefit, but ultimately they have lost the appeal to motivate me. The last time I got on a scale I was within the right BMI measurements for my height. Taking off the pounds is not crucial; it is merely something I would like. The question in my head is how much do I want it? I have to answer that question every day for myself and remain steadfast in the answer--saying no to foods I would love to devour but make little dietary or nutional sense for me to eat while I try to restrict calories. I definitely haven't created habit, so I wonder if it really is sustainable... especially if the scale betrays me with disappointing numbers. All of this effort ought to bear results.

I'd like in all areas of my life for the motion to be soaring. I will have to settle for taking the steps to put that flight in motion.


Time: 28:35
Place: The Hilly Quarry
Weather: high 80s
Distance: 2.7 miles
Feeling: Argh! I'm a total wuss!
Overall grade: B-

Race Day, Revisited

I made it! I didn't get swept up by the bus or forced to leave the course! I never stopped running, although my pace was slower than I would have liked. The course was beautiful with full blooms, but ten miles is long whether or not it's pretty. My training paid off and I felt as I had trained--not pushing myself so much that I was soar the next the day, probably indicating that I could have gone faster.

The best part of the race was the mix. On it I had songs that reminded me of all the people whom I knew were cheering me on in spirit and thought. It made me smile as the songs blared in my ears, bringing about the close to the impossible--a smile.

I didn't reach my 100 minute goal, a bit disappointing but not incredibly surprising. Sometimes, goals take more than one attempt to reach. I signed up for another race in June--the Baltimore 10 Miler--to give it another try. Seven minutes to shave off my time--my hopes are high.


Time: 1:47:52
Place: Cherry Blossom Race Course
Weather: 60s
Distance:10 miles
Feeling: Lots of weaving; slower than goal
Overall grade: B-

Preparation For The Big Day

I had the sweetest of surprises occur. My fellow challenger and motivator from afar, Dave, called to wish me good luck on Sunday... and to share how proud he was of what I had done so far. Because I know he gets it, the gesture meant a lot.

I'm feeling fairly nervous... a litle excited... and a lot more invested than I thought I would be. How I do matters to me, and that is definitely a change than any race I have run before. Sunday's coming, and I hope I'm ready to shine.


Time: 10 minutes
Place: Paved Park
Weather: 60s
Distance: 1 mile
Feeling: Loosey Goosey
Overall grade: B+

Happy Fools Day!

Google is taking over the world! Scary, but true!


Time: 14 minutes, 21 seconds
Place: Hilly Quarry
Weather: 60s
Distance: 3 miles
Feeling: I grew wings last night!
Overall grade: B+