(1) I've settled on a training plan for the St. Jude Marathon. It's from "Marathoning for Mortals" by John Bingham, affectionately known as The Penguin for his slow pace and penguinlike stride. Since Mr. Bingham has lost 80 pounds, written many books, and was a long time columnist for Runner Magazine, it seems clear that speed or lack thereof is no deterrent to being known for your athletic tendencies.
(2) I'm combining the plan from John Bingham with a bunch of stuff I learned from Danny Dreyer's book ChiRunning. At first, the idea sounds a little woo-woo, but the idea is to basically be a mindful runner, land on the forefoot with a slight forward lean, and focus on form first, then distance, then speed. It seems to be working.
(3) I'm down 5 percent of my body weight. In about 4 weeks, I should be down 10 percent of my starting body weight. I should also be in a size twelve jeans. I think the last time I wore a size 12 was in college. No, I know the last time I wore a size 12 was in college. Also, I can feel my abdominal muscles under my pudge for the first time -- hm, since I was pregnant and I had baby feet pushing against my uterus. Before that? How about never.
(4) Yes, I know it's Three Things Thursday, cut me some slack, I'm chatty today. I'm a big believer in celebrating small successes along the way to a big goal. In the past, I'd celebrate with food. Now, I celebrate by treating myself to something that will encourage me a little closer to my big goal. My treat for my first 5k was a Camelbak Alterra hydration waistpack. I already had a hydration backpack, but it does not fit particularly well over my ample bosom. Sweetness loved his, and so now I have one. There are benefits to having a gear junkie for a husband.
Showing posts with label three things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label three things. Show all posts
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Three Things Thursday: December 30, 2010
(1) I am now the proud owner of three, count them, three pairs of Vibram Fivefingers. I believe that takes me out of the "enthusiast" category and places me squarely in the "crazy" category. It definitely places me in the "I have more Fivefingers than Sweetness" category, which makes him insanely jealous.
(2) I am also the proud owner of five (yes five) new pairs of toe socks. Three are Injinji (rainbow stripey!), two are Walgreens knock-offs with monkeys and sunflowers and black argyle. I heart them all. My eight year old daughter got hers from Santa. She hearts hers too. She's asked when she can have "toesies" (meaning Fivefingers). The kid already has a wetsuit for the triathlon she's doing in July. Oh, what have I DONE??????????
(3) I am also in possession of a super cool headlamp with a night vision setting. Which means Sweetness will probably soon drag me into Operation Hardcore: Phase Two -- Running in the Dark. With a headlamp. I wish I had known earlier in my life how much being active makes me feel like a total superhero, what with the technical gear and gadgets. A slow, chunky, middle-aged superhero, but a superhero nevertheless.
(4) Yes, this is a bonus. Tomorrow's the 5k. My stepson, who is 10, will be running the 10k. He'll probably finish the same time as me. Ah, youth is wasted on the young.
(2) I am also the proud owner of five (yes five) new pairs of toe socks. Three are Injinji (rainbow stripey!), two are Walgreens knock-offs with monkeys and sunflowers and black argyle. I heart them all. My eight year old daughter got hers from Santa. She hearts hers too. She's asked when she can have "toesies" (meaning Fivefingers). The kid already has a wetsuit for the triathlon she's doing in July. Oh, what have I DONE??????????
(3) I am also in possession of a super cool headlamp with a night vision setting. Which means Sweetness will probably soon drag me into Operation Hardcore: Phase Two -- Running in the Dark. With a headlamp. I wish I had known earlier in my life how much being active makes me feel like a total superhero, what with the technical gear and gadgets. A slow, chunky, middle-aged superhero, but a superhero nevertheless.
(4) Yes, this is a bonus. Tomorrow's the 5k. My stepson, who is 10, will be running the 10k. He'll probably finish the same time as me. Ah, youth is wasted on the young.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Three Things Thursday: Christmas Eve edition
(1) Have I told you I'm training for a marathon? I haven't yet, have I. I will be running the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, Tennessee in December 2011 to raise money for St. Jude Hospital. I have a connection to Memphis, and to St. Jude, and this marathon, besides being my first, will be a homecoming of sorts. As things get closer, I will explain in more detail. For now let's just say that I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, and not just because I'll be on my feet for 6 hours.
(2) Because the St. Jude is my "A" race this year, I have solidified my race schedule for early spring of 2011. It will include the Steve Cullen 8k run in February, the Luck of the Irish 10k in March, and the Wisconsin half-marathon in May.
(3) My first 5k is next Friday. At noon. Sweetness is pacing me, even though, in real life, he's much, MUCH faster than I am. But he loves me, and I think he likes that I'm doing all this stuff with him. So I'm psyched.
Happy holidays!
(2) Because the St. Jude is my "A" race this year, I have solidified my race schedule for early spring of 2011. It will include the Steve Cullen 8k run in February, the Luck of the Irish 10k in March, and the Wisconsin half-marathon in May.
(3) My first 5k is next Friday. At noon. Sweetness is pacing me, even though, in real life, he's much, MUCH faster than I am. But he loves me, and I think he likes that I'm doing all this stuff with him. So I'm psyched.
Happy holidays!
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