Friday Wrap Up and Sock Winner!

First things first - the Thorlo/Experia socks giveaway. Wow, what a lot of entries! I think this was the most popular giveaway yet - y'all know the value of a good pair of socks! Without further ado, the winner is:

EricaH!!!

Erica, if you will please email me with your shoe size and mailing address, I will forward the info on to Thorlo so they can mail you your new socks! Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who entered...I wish you all could have won, as these socks are really great!

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Lately, I know it seems that all I've been writing about is exercise, and I hope I'm not boring you too much. It's pretty exciting for me to be doing all of this crazy stuff - things that I never, ever thought I would be doing. Working out with weights? Cardio?? Running??? Seriously, sometimes I look at my "before" pictures and shake my head in wonderment - that person was so not into exercise at.all.

The flip side of this is that I am still dieting, still trying to lose about 15 pounds. So...how's that going, you ask? Well. Not good according to the scale. I will admit to being more than a little frustrated at not seeing those numbers go down, especially since I am still being really watchful about what I eat (weekly trip to the frozen yogurt shop excepted), and of course, I'm working out three times a week and running, for cryin' out loud!

Why haven't I gone all ballistic? Well, even though the scale does not change, my body is. My legs are getting smaller and I fit into size 8 pants now. So take that, stupid scale. Also, about six weeks ago, I had Brad measure my fat blob (the extra roll of fat above my waistline) with body-fat calipers, and last Tuesday he remeasured...and I had gone down 5mm! Apparently there is progress happening; it's just not showing on the scale. After listening to my frustrations once again (poor Brad gets to hear it a lot from me!), he suggested that I take a scale vacation. And you know, that is a darn good idea. So the scale has been banished. I'm thinking for at least a month, but you never know. In the meantime, I'll keep on working out, running, and watching my calorie intake while eating healthy foods. I'm pretty sure that my body will continue to make good changes, and eventually the scale will catch up...right?!?

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Blogger Run Day is just about here! A lot of us bloggers will all be doing runs on Sunday, March 7th - and while Kelly and I will be running together in person, we all will be virtually running together. I feel such a connection with all of the runners, and such acceptance into their slightly confusing world (splits? yassos? taper? tempo? BQ?) - I admit that I don't know much, but I do know that I like this running thing. And I'm glad to have so many of you along for the ride - good luck to everyone who runs on Blogger Run Day!

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Tonight I will have my first blogger meet up - Kelly and her husband Chuck will meet Jeff and I for dinner! I'm so excited to finally meet her...pictures will be forthcoming, along with my Armadillo Dash 5K recap (I can't believe I'm not nervous about the race yet) - woohoo, wish us luck!

Wednesday Workout Update - Picture Edition

What a wild day we had on Monday - Brad had a special workout planned for us - an entire hour in the gym, doing an "Extra Filthy Fifty" - because apparently just a plain old "Filthy Fifty" (50 reps of each exercise, for time) wasn't enough! Linda grabbed her camera and caught us in action, so I'm glad to be able to share with y'all a little bit of what we did:

Me doing a chest press, Brad cheering us on, Jenny doing tricep curls, Jeri doing burpee/box jump combos.

Please note that Jenny and I wore our GLOW run t-shirts with pride on Monday!

Jenny doing some sort of pull ups (I think they had a name but I've blocked it out); me doing a walking plank where I would move my feet to each side of the stepper and then back on. Kathleen doing a kettlebell row (that kettlebell is 26 lbs!)Kathleen doing the burpee/box jump combo; Ashley doing the kettlebell row; Jeri doing the burpee/box jump combo (it took a while to do 50 of these!)Kathleen flying through the air with her box jump!Me finally doing a box jump - more on that later in this post....and she sticks the landing! ::cheers::My favorite picture: Jenny beating the tar out of a punching bag. This was the most fun out of all the exercises!

So yeah, about that burpee/box jump combo. As it was easily the hardest exercise of the bunch, I decided to start off with them - get them over with while I was freshest. I did my first burpee, then moved to do the box jump...and froze. I could not get myself to do it. Stepped back, tried again. My body wasn't moving. Stepped to the side and did a practice one, then stepped back in front of the box and...no go. At this point I was holding up other people, so Brad told me to move on and come back to them. I went ahead and did all of the other exercises and then faced the box jump again. What the hell was wrong with me? I can do these - a month ago I did 50 in one day and then 40 the next day! It still wasn't happening, and I was thisclose to losing it out of frustration. Luckily Linda saw what was happening and started calming me down and talking me through them. At that point I remembered that the last time I did these, Brad had been adding extra height to them, using the 45 pound weight plates, and I fell when I tried to jump 14 inches (the standard box is 12 inches). While I didn't hurt myself, obviously it stayed with me. It took a few more tries, but finally I was successful.

It is amazing to me how much of this is mental. From doing something scary like a box jump, to going for a run and pushing past that voice that starts screaming "What are you doing?!? You aren't a runner! You can't go any further - stop right now!" - there is pushing your body to do something and then pushing the self-doubt out of the way, which for me takes more strength than doing the actual physical stuff!

Today I thought there was a good chance of getting to run during our workout, so I brought my running shoes with me. I don't like to workout in them because the soles are not as flexible as my Asics, but they are awesome to run in. Anyway, I ran on the treadmill and can't believe how much better that felt in my running shoes (I know, duh!). I felt GREAT and did 1.34 miles in 16:30 - starting speed was 4.5; ending speed was 6.4! This will be my last run before Sunday's Armadillo Dash so I'm glad to have such a good one under my belt.

After we spent our time on the machines, we played the "Deck of Cards" workout - Linda drew a card and we had to do whatever exercise matched it. For example, if she drew the eight of clubs, we did eight mountain climbers. It's a fast-moving, random workout that really keeps your heart rate up!

We hated to see a spade pulled!

Finally, here's a picture of my calendar for February - I didn't run as many days as I did in January, but my times and distances are increasing. It's fun for me to see the improvement!

...my glow sticks were still glowing, a couple of days after the GLOW run!

Thorlo Experia Sock Review and Giveaway!

First things first: My recap of the GLOW Fun Run is posted here. Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments - you make me feel like I've run a marathon!!! I forgot to post my time - total rookie mistake...what can I say?!? Anyway, I finished it in 38:45, which was pretty much dead on with what I have been running in practice. I was hoping to finish in under 40 minutes, so I'm happy with it. And like dieting, all I have to say is "onward and downward!"

Now, onto the Thorlo Experia socks...if you were with us last week (I feel like I'm doing a hushed voiceover for a soap opera, lol), you might have seen my write up of the Thorlo Experia socks that I bought, where I later discovered that I am not in the target age range to whom these socks are marketed. I joked about it, and somehow Tracy from Thorlo found my post and left me a comment explaining the socks and their marketing. She also issued me a challenge to try them out and post a review, which sounded like a fun thing to do!

I wore them for the first time on my GLOW Fun Run. I have to say that they worked perfectly for me in that I didn't notice them while I was running. Of course, I couldn't feel my toes, either...but that's because they had practically frozen while we were waiting to get started! About a mile into the run, they finally thawed out. But that's neither here nor there with regard to the Experias - had I wanted socks to keep my toes warm, I would have worn a pair of wool socks - but that would be kinda weird to run in. Anyway, they felt great - nice and cushy on the heel and ball of my foot, and the middle part that was tight over the arch was great - not too tight, but definitely supportive. Plus they looked cute - what can I say, I am that superficial!

Just to be sure, I wore them again on Sunday when I went for my recovery run (ooh, another running term). Once again, they worked perfectly - no bunching underfoot and yet they weren't so tight as to be uncomfortable. I like them. In fact, I give them SIX Toes Up!

Disclaimer: These are not Thorlo socks...you might recognize these rainbow feet from this post!

Now here's the fun part: Tracy has kindly offered to give a pair of Experia socks to one lucky reader! To enter, just leave me a comment letting me know what's the farthest you've ever run at one time...no distance is too short! Giveaway will close at 10pm CST on Thursday, March 4; I'll draw the winner using random.org and post it on Friday. Good luck, everybody!!!




FCC Disclaimer: Giveaway will be fulfilled by Thorlo, who will also be sending me a pair of socks as well. Review of said socks is all my opinion.

GLOW Run 5K Recap!

I did it!!! I ran my first 5K Fun Run and lived to tell the tale! And let me just tell you - it was crazy! Who goes running at 9:00 at night? Me and about 1,500 other people, apparently! From the cold temperature of 46 degrees, to the gusty 25 mph north winds, which gave us a wind chill of 37 (but I swear it felt colder), to dodging (and being dodged by) roller skaters, unicyclists, skateboarders, dogs and walkers, I kept running and made it all the way to the finish!

Pictures:Waiting in line to check in...all layered up, which helped my body, but my face was freezing!Me and Jenny - nervous, scared and cold!

Doing the all-important task of making my glow stick into a bracelet while Jenny and her husband, Daniel, watch and freeze.Me, Linda and Jenny - all bibbed up and ready to run! Btw, thanks to the suggestion from Friday commenter Ann, I brought extra safety pins so our bibs weren't flying in the wind!In the "runners" section moments before the run - Linda is giving us some last-minute tips. My hand is on my Nike+ Sportsband, ready to push the button once we start (can you say "raring to go"? LOL)

And then we were off! Jenny and I lost sight of Linda, her son Regan and his friend Hayden almost immediately - there was a huge sea of people and they dashed around them. We tried to keep a slow, steady pace as it seemed like EVERYONE was passing us! It was wild, and I now see why they call it a Fun Run as opposed to a Race, because all of a sudden we were overtaken by the "wheels" group, who were behind the walkers, who were behind the runners at the start. People on roller blades, skateboards and several unicyclists were zipping between and around us and even dogs were passing us - it was a little challenging to keep running while all of this was going on. At one point, a couple on a tandem bicycle rode past us! It seemed like everyone was having a great time - it was a very relaxed atmosphere, and we came upon the one mile mark pretty quick.

Jenny and I tried to keep a steady pace - it was a bit unsettling when some walkers actually passed us (to be fair, they were speedwalking), but we just kept on and eventually ran past them. Another thing that we found challenging were the run/walkers - they would run past us, and then walk for a bit, at which time we would catch up to them and have to run around them to keep going...and then a bit later on, they would run past us again, then slow down to a walk.

It seemed like it took forever to get to the two mile mark - we both swear it was way more than two miles, but as it was dark, I couldn't see my Sportsband to read what the mileage said. We later decided that because we kept having to put on these little bursts of speed to get around people, that was the reason we kinda got pooped out at about 2.5 miles in. Well, that and the fact that we were running into the gusty winds...oooh, that was tough! At that point I had pretty much quit talking, but kudos go to Jenny for realizing that and working to keep me going - she kept up a nice little stream of encouragement, which I needed - where the heck was that three mile mark?!? I thought I'd never see that one! But then we finally saw that AND Linda, who had crossed the finish line and ran back to find us - yay! Jenny got her second wind, and I believe the runner's term is that she "kicked it" - girlfriend RAN that last one-tenth toward the finish! Linda ran with me, and I was able to pick up some speed and FINALLY saw the end and Jeff with the camera - I raised my arms in victory, and finished the run!!!

I'm on the left with my green jacket tied around my waist; Linda is on the grass running next to me - woohoo, my first 5K finish!!!

Same shot without the cropping - I was guessing that the girl in the orange jacket with the yellow tape around her was the finish line...

Then I walked down a path to calm down and whaddya know? Tears came!
The Ironwomen - me, Jenny and Linda, along with Ironboys Hayden and Regan!

After we were finished, we all piled into Linda's huge SUV, which had the most awesome seatwarmers, and drove to our local frozen yogurt place to get our reward. No matter that we were still cold - that yogurt was ours!!!

I have to give a shout out to my husband, Jeff, and Jenny's husband, Daniel, who were our official photographers and pit crew - they held t-shirts and all sorts of stuff for us. Plus they were extra cold, since they didn't run to warm up like we did. And thank you for all of the wonderful bloggy support - the comments and emails have meant so much to me and I really appreciate it, more than you will ever realize. This was a fun thing to do and I can't wait for next Sunday (March 7 - Blogger Run Day™!) to do it again.

Friday Catch Up

Deep breaths. Deeeeeep breaths...inhale...exhale...

So yeah, this was pretty much me all day on Thursday - I am so excited and nervous and just on this side of freaking out about the GLOW run tonight! I've been checking the weather - supposed to rain this morning, stop around 1pm, and then the temps will drop and the wind will kick up - really? For my first ever 5K? I suppose it could be snowing, but still! I have my list of gear for the run - want to see it? Of course you do! Here goes:

1. Nike+ Sportsband, so I can keep track of my time
2. Visor (only if it's raining, to keep most of the drops off of my glasses)
3. Black long-sleeved wicking shirt
4. Purple workout shirt (our workout group will be all matchy-matchy!)
5. Long workout pants or capris - not sure which I'll wear; depends on how cold it really is
6. Black vest (again with the cold)
7. Gloves (sense a theme here?)
8. Ageless lime green socks*
9. Shoes
10. Camera
11. Water bottle
12. Coat

Am I forgetting anything? Jeff will have a backpack to hold my race t-shirt, camera, water bottle and coat...and we were dorky enough to go outside Wednesday evening and practice with the settings on my camera so he can get my picture as I cross the finish line (my neighbors were in their garage as we were doing this - and yes I was running about twenty feet toward Jeff, he would snap the picture when I got close, we would check it, adjust settings, and repeat...and repeat...and repeat) - dorrrrk alert! Our little group is going to meet up and carpool to the race because parking can be an issue on campus. Um, what else, what else? Oh yeah...inhale....exhale...

*I have been issued a sock challenge by Tracy Harris of Thorlo - seriously, go read her comment in my last post! So be sure to look for my review of the hopefully Ageless Experia socks (yes, I have renamed them...and you're welcome, Thorlo) next week. Y'all know me - I will tell it like it is - but I'm hoping that I do like them as they are so cute and athletic-looking!

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In other news, I actually ended up working out on Wednesday - I was able to do a make up session with a group at 5:30 pm. More negatives! This time with our arms - I was doing push ups (from the knees, thankfully) and Brad was pushing between my shoulder blades as I was on the downward movement! A couple of times I nearly bit the dust and smashed my face onto the floor, but I was able to catch myself. That was CRAZY! I also got the giggles...I guess the absurdity of what I was doing cracked me up! Anyway, I'm glad I got that workout in.

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And my last bit of excitement: Kelly from Happy Texans has made her hotel reservations and registered for the Armadillo Dash - she will be running the 5K with us on March 7, otherwise known as Blogger Run Day!!! Fun times - can't wait to meet her and her sweet husband, Chuck.

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This is going to be a long day, waiting for 9pm to get here. Cross your fingers for me that I don't hyperventilate before then!

Wednesday Workout Update - Snow Edition!

Well, I only have one day to talk about because we got snow in south Texas - what is up with that? I have lived here for over 17 years and never experienced as much snow as I have in the last couple of years! Any case, it was lovely - giant flakes of snow that fell after a lot of sleet, which made the roads pretty icy, and since we Texans can barely drive when it rains, ice and snow are out of the question! Thus, my Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning workouts were canceled. Which may be a good thing, because both Brad and Linda tried to kill me on Monday!

First Linda had me do the "350" cardio workout - pull 50 calories on the rower, then do 50 push ups, then 50 butterfly sit ups. Then do it all over again, and again - for time. I tell you what, the last 25 sit ups were so hard - Linda was holding my feet down for me and I was doing them in slower-than-slow-motion! I did it in just under 30 minutes, which was a great improvement from the last time I did this - I think I was in the 45 minute range.

After that, I got to go to the gym, where Brad had us doing "negatives" on the leg press and T-bar row. It is a real challenge for me when it's time for negative leg presses - half is mental, because I know I will be sore afterward, and half is physical, because the muscles right above my knees get shaky and it's just plain hard to do. I don't know why I feel like my legs are not as strong as my arms - the T-bar row negatives are hard but I'm not afraid when I'm doing them. Ugh - I hate having a mental workout along with my physical one! We ended the session with leg tosses, which really work your abs, which of course were about spent after the 350 I did in cardio. We had to do 50 each with Brad and Linda, and if we rested, our count started going backward! Toward the end, mine did - I could barely lift my legs! When I was all done, I just laid on the floor. If someone would have brought me a blanket, I think I might still be there!

I know it seems like I complain a lot about my workouts - really, they are fun and I wouldn't keep going if I didn't enjoy them. I pay a lot for Brad and Linda to beat me to a pulp, and I get my money's worth, that's for sure!!!

Paco and I out playing in the snow - he loved it!

And now for the running update:

While I was running on Saturday, my sock got kind of bunched up under the ball of my left foot. It bothered me the entire run, and I should have stopped and straightened it out, but of course I didn't - once I get started, it's full speed ahead...don't want to lose my forward momentum! By the time I was finished I could.not.wait. to get that shoe off and FIX my sock! While I was complaining about my dumb sock, Jeri showed me her cool new Thorlo Experia running socks, so I decided that I should try a pair - don't need any bunching on my first race, you know! I went right to the store she got hers at and happily plunked down an exorbitant amount of money for a pair of socks - but hey, if I run more comfortably, it's worth it, right? Besides, look at the cool color - they match my green running shirt! Anyhoo, after I got them home and tried them on (and yes, snapped some pictures, lol), I decided to look them up on the interweb. Imagine my surprise when I watched this video, where a floating head basically told me that I'm too old for these socks! Really?!? That is the weirdest marketing strategy I've ever seen! Now I haven't worn them yet, but I'm really hoping to prove them wrong...I don't know, I guess I consider this a challenge now.

Top view of my supercute new running socksSide view - look at the technology...I'm sure I will run faster while wearing these socks!

Anyway, even with the sock issues, Jeri and I managed to get our run in. Another 3.1 miles - this time we ran the entire distance of the park trail, which ironically goes right behind our local Sonic...we joked about stopping for a burger, but in the end kept on running. I had a bit of a hard time on this run - don't know if it was the combination of warmer weather plus a little humidity (68 degrees), or the PB&J that I ate about an hour before the run not sitting right in my stomach...or the bunched sock, but I felt like I was going a lot slower. According to my trusty Nike+, I was about 2 minutes slower than my last run, which, considering we had to wait for the signal to cross an intersection twice (coming and going), that wasn't bad.

Seriously, do we look too old to wear those socks?!?

Two more days until my first ever 5K Fun Run - eeeek!

Follow Up to 115

Wow, yesterday's post really struck a nerve with y'all! Thank you for the support and outrage - you've validated me and I love you all for doing that!

At the photography studio where I worked for four years, our unofficial slogan was "People are Stupid" - and that's all I could think when I read in yesterday's comments what so many of you have been told about your weight as well. What is it with educated professionals who don't have a clue, and who don't see us as individuals? We are more than a freakin' number on a chart.

I told my trainer, Brad, about what the doctor said and he just shook his head and said "it's the BMI chart - that's all he is going by" and then told me that according to that chart, he should weigh about 30 pounds less than he does...and let me tell you, that man does not have an ounce of extraneous fat on him. It's muscle - and it weighs less than fat (I know, a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat, feathers, whatever, but it takes up less space). Argh! I am still so frustrated.

I will say that I have had two people recommend another doctor to me - a woman who, according to a person who works out in the group after mine, is very supportive of her weight, workouts and overall fitness. Sounds like a winner to me, and I will use her as my PCP from now on. Now for the interesting part: Do I quietly go away from the first doctor, as the non-confrontational pleaser in me would like to do, or do I take several of your suggestions and write him a letter explaining why I will no longer see him, in hopes of getting him to change his way of looking at weight, charts and overall fitness?