Action 469 - Play Now, Pay Tomorrow.

There's one thing I can count on with family, casual evenings hanging around chatting are going to end up in late night laugh-a-thons. We see each other so rarely that we make the most of our time together. But I'm still in training, so deals have to be made.



Action 469 - Play Now, Pay Tomorrow.

A late, late night... drinking and talking... and suddenly, it's two am. But that's no excuse for skipping a scheduled workout.

So, after a few hours, it's time to run. They may not be the best miles I'll cover, but even a bad run beats skipping the workout.

Action 468 - Back Away From The Queso.

It's family time in Austin, and that means a lot of laughs, old stories, and laugh-out-loud embarrassing photographs. It also means easy-to-heat-and-serve food. And for me, there's one big danger.

Action 468 - Back Away From The Queso.



I love cheese dip. I love it when it's warm and gooey and I love it when it's cool and clumpy. I love it when it's chunky and when it's plain. I just really, really love cheese dip.

And that's a problem when there is plenty of it around and I'm too hungry to stay disciplined.

Yeah, I indulged. And now I'm going to need to run a few extra miles to compensate.

 

Action 467 - Ignore The Temptations.

It's fun to travel and spend time outside of the same-old, same-old. But being out of the routine comes with a price.

Action 467 - Ignore The Temptations.



I'm in Austin, Texas. This town is known for delicious barbeque restaurants, happening 6th Street nightlife, and a fun gay community with their own clubs and taverns. That's a lot to avoid if you're trying to eat healthy. Any other time, I would not be so concerned. But my marathon is next weekend, and I have no time to work off a long weekend's worth of indulgence.

So, my plan for this trip is to stay close to home. I'm here to spend time with my family, and that's going to be my focus. Hopefully, staying away from the bustling Austin nightlife will make it a little bit easier to stay on track.

 

Action 466 - Deal With Humidity.

I'm on a weekend vacation, but that doesn't mean my training stops. So this morning at 6:30, I was up and ready to run. But running in Texas? Not the same as San Diego.

Action 466 - Deal With Humidity.

Ugh. It didn't seem too warm when I walked out the door, but it was much hotter than I expected. And the humidity was brutal. It felt like I was running through a stream. What an experience.

Tomorrow, when I run again, I'll definitely take my Halo sweatband, my sunglasses and my water bottle. Humidity or no, I've got to run!

And here's the beautiful neighborhood where my family lives. It's very run-friendly.

Action 465 - Spend Time With Family.

One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older. There's a comfort in being with people that have known you all your life.

Action 465 - Spend Time With Family.

I'm here in Texas for my Grandfather's 90th birthday, and family has come in from across the country to help him celebrate. In addition to my aunt, uncle and cousins that live here in Austin, my uncle and aunt are here from Washington and another uncle is down from Dallas. Add other cousins and my Mom, and it's a houseful of family.

It's funny, but when I was younger, traveling meant being on the go the whole time and checking in with as many friends as I could. These days, I'm perfectly content hanging out with family.

This is good stuff.

Put on my traveling shoes.

It's family weekend in Austin, Texas, so I'm catching a plane. But in my bag, I've got my running gear and my sneaks. Tomorrow and Sunday, I'll be up early and running the streets of Austin.

What are YOU doing for you this weekend?

Action 464 - Fly The Friendly Skies.

Not a surprise to anyone that knows me, but I'm pretty comfortable meeting new people. And yesterday, it paid off.

Action 464 - Fly The Friendly Skies.

I was on a Southwest flight to Austin, Texas, and I chose the very last aisle seat. I figured, I checked a bag, so there's no rush to deplane, right?

I noticed one of the flight attendants in a heated conversation with one of the passengers. From what I could hear, the attendant was insisting that the passenger couldn't leave her bag in the aisle during take-off. Simple, right?

By the time the attendant made her way to the back of the plane, she was obviously frustrated. She looked at me and I said, quietly, "people are idiots, aren't they?"

And just like that, she and I were besties. We spent the next two hours laughing at the stupid people... and I spent the next two hours enjoying free cocktails.

And since I had WiFi on the plane, I took the opportunity to update my Facebook status.





Life is fun. And sometimes, it's surprising, too.

Action 463 - Prepare For The Heat.

The Marathon is close enough now that the extended weather report is available.

Action 462 - Prepare For The Heat.





Oh, man. The high for the day is 80 degrees. For someone who has been training in cool San Diego weather, this is going to be tough. I need to sort out now how I will handle the heat.

Extra water all week long. Plan to stop at every water station. And carry my new water bottle with me. It's going to be hot, but I'll be ready.

Action 462 - Travel Wisely.

Airports can be difficult to navigate if you're trying to watch what you eat. Food choices are expensive and usually calorie-heavy.

Action 462 - Travel Wisely.

A little planning made the difference. Instead of eating at the airport, I packed a few snacks in my bag to eat on the plane. I had a low-cal protein bar, a baggy full of baby carrots, and a water bottle that I refilled after I made it through security.

McDonald's? No, thanks. I'm traveling light!

Action 461 - Scream If I Wanna Go Faster.

Yes, it's true. I'm paraphrasing the title of a Geri Halliwell song. But it's the best way to describe this morning's workout.

Action 461 - Scream If I Wanna Go Faster.

I only had thirty minutes to run this morning before I had to get showered and off to work, so I made the most of it on the treadmill. I decided to start at 6.5 mph and then kick the speed up every half mile... and a big boost at the end!

• Mile 0.0-0.5 at 6.5mph


• Mile 0.5-1.0 at 6.6mph


• Mile 1.0-1.5 at 6.7mph


• Mile 1.5-2.0 at 6.8mph


• Mile 2.0-2.5 at 6.9mph


• Mile 2.5-3.0 at 7.5mph


• Mile 3.0-3.5 at 8.0mph

It felt pretty great. I really did feel stronger with every increase. And at the end of the thirty minutes, I was a sweat-covered big-grinning running fool.

And that's how to start the day.

Action 460 - Choose Only One.

Argh. I hate not being able to have everything I want. Yes, I realize that I sound like a spoiled brat when I admit that. But there it is, anyway.

There are three things I want but I can really only afford one of them. They each cost about the same, so...

Action 460 - Choose Only One.

I can run the Rock and Roll San Diego Marathon on June 3rd.

Totally fun, another full marathon, and I love shiny medals.

or

I can run the Nanny Goat 24 Hour 100 Mile Challenge on May 26th.

It's a huge challenge, the "medal" is fun, and it's a brand new experience.

or

I can buy myself a new iPod Nano to use on the Pasadena Marathon.

I want to be able to switch playlists - from dance club to rock - and my Shuffle doesn't do that. Plus, it would be a reward for finishing like my watch was for running the Marine Corps Marathon.

I can make a good argument for each of them. And I can afford one, but only one.

Fortunately, I don't have to decide tonight. I can think on it over the weekend and make my decision early next week.

Action 459 - Don't Confuse Travel With Holiday.

Tomorrow after work, I am flying out to Austin, Texas, for the weekend. It is my Grandfather's 90th birthday and Sunday is Mother's Day, so it's the perfect time to see the whole family. The old me would see this trip as a vacation and not think at all about what is going on with my training. But I'm not the old me.

Action 459 - Don't Confuse Travel With Holiday.

Yes, I get to see my family. And yes, I'm sure I'll indulge a little in food and drink while I'm there. But I'm still in training. In fact, I'm in my last ten days before the marathon. That means I need to remain focused on the prize.

And I'm prepared for it. I have already packed my gym bag for the morning workout before I head to the office, and I have my suitcase packed with two other sets of running gear for Saturday and Sunday mornings runs. I will run bright and early and then have the rest of the day to focus my attention on the family.

I will prove to myself that I can have it all this weekend. I can enjoy my family, have a great trip, and still commit to my workout and my training.

[caption id="attachment_2241" align="alignnone" width="300"] Celebrating Grandpa's birthday in 2009.[/caption]

Action 458 - Run. Pedal. Sweat.

A late start this morning meant no workout before heading into the office. I'm not a fan of the gym after work, but too bad. That's what I get for sleeping in, right?



Action 458 - Run. Pedal. Sweat.

I mixed it up today with a brick - a run followed by a bike ride. It felt pretty good, actually. I ran a 5K and some change followed by nearly seven miles on the bike.

And the sweat? No problem. As you can see for yourself, I made it look good.

Action 457 - Tell It Like It Is.

Being the SparkPeople Success Story Manager and an active member of the site, I get my share of emails from new members asking questions. I know how much I appreciated encouragement early on, so I always take the time to reply with whatever help I can offer.

Action 457 - Tell It Like It Is.

Today, I received this email from a new member:

Do you have any weight loss tips?

And this was my reply:

Nope.

Not being mean or dismissive, just I have never had any luck chasing weight loss goals. It wasn't until I focused on the basics of being healthy that I was successful.

Eat healthy. Be active. Repeat consistently. That's it. No tricks, no sneaky way around it. It's all about the basics.

Start small with simple goals, like drinking enough water each day or taking a 15 minute walk each day at lunch. Whatever the goal, just start. Repeat. And when it becomes a habit, add another goal.

That's what worked for me, at least.

I know what she was asking, and I could have certainly phrased my answer more as "weight loss tips." But I went with what felt more authentic to me. Focusing on weight loss alone may be a good way to drop pounds, but I don't think it is a way to keep those pounds off.

I don't judge people who resort to extreme and restrictive diets or surgery to lose weight. I'm not in their shoes and it's not for me to approve or disapprove. But speaking for me, I think that those solutions may help you lose weight, but once you return to your normal eating habits, the weight will come right back. To successfully keep weight off, you need to learn new and healthier habits for life.

So, I told it like it is, at least for me. There are no shortcuts to this.

Action 456 - Make The Motivation.

Being a person who is pretty open and upfront about my weight loss and fitness journey, I'm used to people asking me questions. No surprise, this is one of the most common.

How do you always stay motivated?

I think the answer surprises most people, but honestly, I don't. I'm not always motivated. Some days, I don't want to workout and I don't want to think about what I'm eating. I want to sleep in and eat junk food and watch TV for hours. Some days, I'm just not feeling it. But those the days that I most need to do something good for myself, because doing right by my body also helps improve my mood.

Action 456 - Make The Motivation. If I don't have it, I find ways to push myself in the right direction.

For example, today, I'm not really feeling it. I woke up this morning too late to go to the gym before work, so my reaction is to just skip today completely. But that doesn't help me prepare for the marathon, it doesn't help me burn calories, and it definitely doesn't help me feel better.

My solution? I packed my gym bag and brought it with me to the office. I could have changed at home afterwards, but I know better. I would go home and not leave again for the gym. Bringing my bag means I don't need to make a stop on the way. I have also brought my bag into the office with me. I don't need to, since I am going to change into my workout gear at the gym. But leaving it in the car makes it easier for me to change my mind and not go. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?



Instead, my gym bag is right here at the end of my desk. It's a constant reminder that I have a place to go and something to do right after work.

I'm still not really feeling all that motivated to go run and workout this afternoon, but I know that I am going to do it. And I also know that afterwards, I am going to be glad that I did. I have never worked out and thought, "pfft, that was a mistake."

If you don't have the motivation, make it. Your mind will come around once your body starts doing all the work.

 

Why Do I Run?

While running the OC Half Marathon, I noticed that each mile marker had a different "Why Do I Run?" reason posted. And since I had thirteen miles to ponder just such questions, I came up with a few answers... and some even surprised me.

1. I run because it helps me lose weight. Riding a bike or using the elliptical just doesn't seem to work as well.
2. I run because it gives me time to myself. I don't bring work or bills or projects or troubles along with me.
3. I run because it makes me feel better. It literally changes my mood.
4. I run because it's a great way to see a town. Passing people and buildings and public spaces at 6 miles per hour gives me a much better chance to really get to know a place than driving by in a car.
5. I run because crossing a finish line is awesome. I've finished over twenty events and it never gets old.
6. I run because it connects me to a community of like-minded people. I have an immediate connection and common-ground with other runners.
7. I run because it's a challenge. Long miles, steep hills, cold mornings... they conspire against me and I push back with all that I have.
8. I run because it creates opportunities and experiences with friends. Sharing a ten mile obstacle run with buddies is a great way to really get to know someone better.
9. I run because it is my way of being an athlete. I don't care much for team sports and I'm not likely to be invited to the Olympics, but I train and compete and am proud of my accomplishments.
10. I run because it is a sport I can share with others. Elite runners or couch-to-5K beginners can all run, and I am happy to encourage them whenever possible.

I run because I can. And as a popular t-shirt reads,

Someday, I won't be able to run. But today is not that day.

Action 455 - Practice Patience.

I'm not going to play coy here. I am not a patient person. When I decide I want something, I want it right now. And right now, I have decided that I want to run the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon or Half Marathon on June 3rd.



Crazy, right? There are so many reasons why I shouldn't run it.

1. I ran the event already last year.


2. The course was not that beautiful.


3. It's expensive.


4. I'm running a full marathon and a half marathon in the two weeks before.

So, why have I decided I want to run it? Because I can. Because I'm on a roll. Because I'm stepping up and pushing myself and challenging myself and... well.. and I suppose I'm on a runner's high and I don't want it to fade.

Action 455 - Practice Patience.



I checked the website, and the rates will not go up again until May 27th. That means I can wait until after I run the Pasadena Marathon to decide if I want to run San Diego. Maybe I won't feel up to another full marathon and will only want to do the half. And sure, the event could sell out. But if so, that would just be a sign that I wasn't meant to run it at all.

I hate waiting. I want to just sign up right now and be done with it. But no, I am not going to do that. The smart thing to do is wait, run what I have already committed to, and let the rest play itself out over the next two weeks.

Be patient. It's good for me. Right?

*grumble* *grumble*

Introducing the Weapons of Mass Reduction!

One of our teammates has a great blog written explaining how she and our team captain started this crazy adventure, so I'll direct you there to catch up. After that, come back and allow me to introduce my teammates for the Ragnar Relay Florida Keys run.



Runner 1 - Katie
Runner 2 - Meredith
Runner 3 - Lealah
Runner 4 - Mary
Runner 5 - Andrea
Runner 6 - Rik
Runner 7 - Jen R
Runner 8 - Linda
Runner 9 - Jen S
Runner 10 - Allison
Runner 11 - Ada
Runner 12 - John (me!)

Over the next few weeks, I'll share a little more about each team member. For now, though, just know that these folks are all amazing, and they each bring something special to the team. (Not sure what I bring, but perhaps a smart-aleck attitude was on someone's must-have list somewhere.)

Action 454 - Find The Words To Explain It.

This afternoon, I was interviewed by a reporter for the Pasadena Weekly. She was looking for stories of runners to share with their readers, and the folks at the Pasadena Marathon gave her my contact information.

What an experience. She asked for fifteen minutes of my time, and I was happy to talk about the marathon, why I was running it, and all about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  I thought I knew what she was going to ask, what I was going to say, and how the entire interview would go.

I was wrong.

Once I started talking, it was like I opened a valve and everything inside my head just came rushing out. I talked about why I was running... this project to prepare me... and all that I have learned about myself along the way. And so much, more more. I'll save all the details, as the reporter is writing the story and I'll let her tell it as she chooses. But for me, one thing finally became clear. After an hour of talking, I was no longer unclear about what I was doing.

Action 454 - Find The Words To Explain It.

I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2011 for myself. It was my challenge, to show myself that I could do it. And I met that challenge head-on. I ran the marathon, stood in the shadow of the Iwo Jima Memorial, and proudly clung to my Finisher's Medal as proof of what I had accomplished.



But this marathon is different. I am not running to prove something to myself. This time, I am running for others.

• I am running as a way to say thank you to the Marines in my life, my brothers and sisters, who reminded me back in June 2010 that I am an amazing person who has every reason to be happy. They were the mirror that showed me I deserved better, I deserved to be better, and gave me the spark I needed to turn my life around. Their friendship led me out of the darkness and literally saved my life.


• I am running to raise money for the Marines now served by the Semper Fi Fund. These are men and women who have sacrificed for this nation and now deserve all the assistance we can offer them as they return to a new life after the horrors of war.


• I am running to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in service to a nation that does not always make its gratitude known. For a brief moment, on the streets of Pasadena, each of these Marines will be remembered. What they have given will be acknowledged, appreciated, and honored.

This marathon is my one opportunity to give something back to all the Marines who have given so much to me and for me.

And thank you, Logan Pollard, for giving me the opportunity today to sort all of this out in my head. Finding the words to explain how I feel has made this experience that much more important to me.

Action 453 - Think San Diego, Not OC.

This year, I've been running half marathons. A lot of half marathons. Eight of them since January, in fact. What I haven't been doing is running much farther than that at any one time. And I know the importance of the long runs. But I settled on my training plan nearly one hundred days ago, and I won't start second-guessing it now. What I need to do, though, is think carefully about how I intend to run the marathon.

Action 453 - Think San Diego, Not OC.

I ran the San Diego Half Marathon in 2:34. My pace was slower than my normal running because I chose to run with a friend just getting back into distance running. I enjoyed every moment of that race and I am very happy that I was there as she proved to herself that she could run a half marathon. That said, it was an 11:44 per mile pace.

By contrast, I ran the OC Half Marathon in 2:00:24. My pace was as fast as I have ever been for that distance. As my last training run before the marathon, it could not have gone any better. I set a PR and I walked away feeling strong, healthy and not sore at all. And I did it all with a pace of 9:12 per mile.

The difference of two and a half minutes per mile is significant, especially if factored over the course of an entire marathon. At 11:44 per mile, it would take me 5 hours 7 mins to finish. At 9:12 per mile, I would finish in just over 4 hours.

I think my finish will be somewhere between those two times. I won't have the endurance to run double my previous PR, but I also won't be running over five hours, either. But if I have to choose one time or the other to favor, I am going to give myself the benefit of a slower, more comfortable run. I want to run the entire event and I want to finish strong, but I don't want to injure myself in the process.

So, I will think San Diego. I will run my event at a speed that challenges me but does not wipe me out before the finish. I will force myself to start slower than my 10K pace, maybe even start with a 5 or 5 1/2 mile first hour. That will give me a chance to stretch out, find a rhythm, and discard all the pre-race nerves and jitters.

I will run this race strong, consistent, steady and smart.