Hot Child In and Around the City

No, the title is not in reference to chocolate my lovies. 

Today begins Week 11 of my 18 week Marathon training program.  I’ll run 32 miles and box three (or maybe 4 1/2) hours this week.  There’s just 8 weeks left of training.  8 weeks and I’ll be prepared to run a marathon.  I’ve been dreaming about this for almost 2 years.  I’ve been working day and night towards making it happen for 11 months.  In 8 short weeks it will be a reality.

I’m 33 years old (I know!  A super young-looking 33 yr old.  I get that all the time!) and I have NEVER set such a long term ambitious goal in my life.  Never.  Can you imagine what that feels like?  To set this completely unrealistic goal…and to capture it!  Think of this…in April of 2010 I watched the Boston Marathon at 250lb.  I told myself that day that I would one day run that course.  Can you imagine the reaction I would have got if I said that out loud to someone that day?  In 8 short weeks everything I have been dreaming and working towards will be a reality.  It’s a bitter sweet realization. 

Luckily, your girl doesn’t disappoint!  I’ve got bunches of surprises up my sleeves for you.  After this there will be new unrealistic goals to capture.  Just wait.  xoxo

My Training Program

Then doubled-over laughter ensues from my brother.  But I’m totally serious.  I’m a fucking Kenyan today.  Fine, a pale skinned, blue-eyed, slow Kenyan but a Kenyan none the less. 

This was how our conversation went this morning after I told my brother how far I ran and what my pace was.  You ready for this?

I ran 15 miles…the longest run of my life.  My pace…7:38!  Seriously, I’m not even lying.  I can’t make it up.  I didn’t even do the numbers myself my Nike thing did.  You like that?  “My Nike thing”…I’m technical, right?  So don’t blame it on my bad math…I actually have excellent math.  And all you haters that want to call shenanigans and say the “Nike thing” failed, the numbers aren’t accurate…etc. etc…eat it.  I did it…and I did it well!  I mapped out the run the night before on Gmap pedometer so I know the length was accurate…and how can my iphone mess up the time?  It can’t.  I somehow did it.  Yes, yes, I know…I amaze myself too!

I can just chalk it up to a great run with conditions that are perfect for me.  The night before I carb loaded…kind of.  I was so excited about it but in the end I didn’t eat much.  I just can’t eat like I used to…thank god for that!  I got a great night’s sleep and was up before 7am.  We were supposed to get a snow storm so I wanted to knock my run out early if possible.  I got up looked outside and there was a dusting on the ground but not much and it was lightly snowing.  I looked at tomorrow’s forecast and it’s going to be 10 degrees colder so I decided…it’s now of never…dominate this run and get it out of the way.

I did my usual pre-long run ritual.  Oatmeal with vanilla protein powder.  My bananas weren’t ripe so I threw my usual almond butter in the oatmeal instead and made a cup of coffee.  Clothing consisted of a skin tight long sleeve base layer shirt, then a Brooks silver long sleeve shirt, then a Nike thermal running shirt with sleeves that go over your thumb.  I had on my compression socks, my Nike kicks, running tights and a light weight running jacket, hat and running gloves.  I wore my fuel belt…which needs to be replaced with a smaller version.  I can’t keep this one on any more and at mile 12 it literally fell off (in the middle of a busy intersection) and I almost left it.  The fuel belt carries 4 little bottles of water but I just took a few sips the entire time.  I also threw 5 bucks in there in case I needed to quit and find a gypsy cab to drive me home.  Are there gypsy cabs in Canton?   Hmmm. 

The new thing I ran with…Gu!  You’ll remember the post where I tried it before and puked.  I’ve gotten over it.  After I ran the 1/2 marathon two weeks ago I realized I need to fuel my body to keep up my energy.  I talked to a runner friend and she said that she uses Gu every few miles throughout the entirety of her long runs.  It takes a bit for your body to absorb it so this way it’s getting a constant supply.  I could tell that this worked for me.  I Gu’d at miles 4, 8 and 12 and during the entire 15 miles my energy remained consistent.  It never dropped.  I used the chocolate flavor and was able to keep it down.   

The 30 degree temperature was perfect for me.  There was little wind…so I ran like it instead.  The light snow was awesome.  It kept up my entire run but didn’t stick and didn’t make the roads slippery.  Instead it was pretty and it hit my face with the right amount of cold to make me laugh and crinkle up my nose the entire time.  It made me sing the line “And that laugh that wrinkles your nose” from Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” over and over again.  I felt strong from the start and it never wavered.  My ”Nike thing” talks to me after each mile and lets me know how I am doing.  I started faster than I typically do so I figured that would slow down but it never did.  In fact, it just kept getting better.  I may have even started fist pumping after each mile.  I warm up after three miles and then settle in.  From there it feels like I can run forever.  I think I’m actually better at long runs than short runs.  I still thought I would slow down and was fine with it but it didn’t happen.  With each mile that past I kept hearing the good news and kept fist pumping.  The endorphins had kicked in and I was beaming ear to ear.  I must have looked like a lunatic to the cars going by.  At mile 9 I was running by a corner store and a lady was walking out.  She started smiling because I was smiling so I yelled “I just finished 9 miles in under an 8 minute pace!”  She yelled back “Great!” but she looked a little uncomfortable…ha! 

The last three miles of the run were awesome because I knew what I was about to accomplish.  I kept thinking “Do you people in the cars driving by me even realize what you are witnessing right now?!  You are witnessing what 15 miles in under an 8 minute pace looks like…and um, you are witnessing a miracle!  Not too long ago I was 250lb.  Now I am 147lb and I am running like a pale skinned, blue eyed, slow Kenyan!”   

Next long run is 16 miles.  I might run it in an 11 minute pace.  I don’t care!  I know what I did today and I know what I am capable of…So Much More! 

After, I took a shower in the hottest water I can stand until it ran cold.  Then I napped.  But other then that I feel great.  Not sore at all.  I could go workout tomorrow if I wanted…but I don’t!  I have a lunch date with a friend and I am going to make love to an ice cream cookie sandwich the Phantom Gourmet raved about last week.  I can’t wait!  Have a great rest of the weekend lovies!  xoxo

Me after 15 miles...that's a mixture of sweat, tears and snow on my face!

Yumma!

 

Sooo, here’s what I did last weekend…

Before getting on a plane to West Palm I decided to bagel it up!

Let the carb loading begin!

A bit freaked out! Can you guess what I'm doing??

 After, we drove to Miami and checked in to our hotel on South Beach:

Room with a view!

Checking out the scene at the Delano.

About to jump 13,500 feet!

 Then we went to the expo to pick up my race day packet.  After walking around the booths and making a few purchases I met up with TA.  We sat a bit and took it all in.  I promptly burst in to happy tears…such a baby!  But really, how lucky am I?  A year ago I was dying (whether I’d admit that at the time or not) and now here I am…traveling to MIAMI and running a 1/2 marathon.  I’m not just living…I’m living my dream!  To answer the question, I am the luckiest!  No, no, sorry…you’re not the luckiest…I AM THE LUCKIEST! 

At the Expo

Me after running 13.1. Still cute, right?!

The Breakers

A lot of you are starting the new year off a few pounds heavier and many of you are sporting some new bling on your key chain (aka new gym pass.)  Guess what I did over the holidays?  I enjoyed them to pieces…and managed to lose weight!!  It is my pleasure to let you know that you are currently reading a blog of some chick from Boston, with a heart of gold, a mouth like a sailor and who has lost OVER 100lbs!  You got it bitches…101 is no longer just my favorite Disney movie…it is now the total lbs I have lost!!  Woot…woot!  Dance party in my house…right now…with the dog…you’re jealous…I know.

All silliness aside, I am truly over the moon about this accomplishment.  I have struggled with my weight my entire life.  I went on my first diet (Weight Watchers) when I was in the 3rd grade!  That blows my mind when I think about it.  Is that even legal?  They didn’t have points then.  You got this little black and white booklet and checked off how many breads and fruits etc you ate.  That was back in the day when all you were allowed to eat was plain tuna!  25 years later…TWENTY FUCKING FIVE…I have for the first time in my life made a weight loss goal and dominated it.  Not only did I dominate it…I have loved every single second of this journey.  The journey has really just begun though!  More soon…I’m going to work on my post about the 100 things I gained while losing 100lbs.  xoxo 

 PS:  For you newbies…I don’t diet…I eat clean (which is a lifestyle and not a diet) and I work out (you gotta sing that last line like LMFAO to get the full effect.)

In the words of John Lennon…”Another year over.  A new one just begun.”  Can you believe it?  A year flies when you’re busy having the time of your life!  Here’s a snippet of my last two years if you haven’t been paying attention.

2010 = Worst year of my life!

2011 = Best year of my life!

See how that worked?!  I kept putting good karma out there and finally it all came back 100 fold to me.  Such a lucky girl!

Before I post about my goals for 2012 I thought I would pull out my notebook where on 12/31/10 I confided some of my hopes and dreams for 2011.

Here’s Page 1:

12/31/10

Dear 2011,

I’ve got big plans for you so get ready, hold on tight and enjoy the ride! xoxo

Little did I know what would really be in store for me.  On the next page I listed 4 goals for myself.  I’m being shy so I’ll just share the first one. 

Goal #1:  Become the healthiest person I can become! ~ I’d say I have accomplished that.  There’s still room to get healthier but at this moment I am the healthiest I have been in my entire life.  

I’ve been seeing the same doctor at Brigham and Women’s since I was 19.  My last check up was over the summer and though I had all my numbers run the prior year we decided to do it all over again and see how the numbers had changed…ya know, draw extra blood just for fun!  My cholesterol has always been great…but now it’s even better.  My blood pressure is usually borderline high but now it’s perfect.  My BMI says I’m normal weight when before it said I was obese.  In the short time she spent with me, all the while poking and prodding and checking something else, my doctor remarked that it was the first time I have ever been open and happy and freely talking about everything.  She couldn’t believe how I had transformed and she couldn’t stop telling me how happy she was that I was so happy and confident.  My favorite thing she said was while she was taking my pulse.  She looked at me and shook her head and said “Your pulse is so low it’s awesome.”  At first I thought it meant I was dying…apparently it means I do a lot of cardio.

On the next page I listed out a dozen items that I wanted to accomplish once I got to my healthiest self yet.  Here’s a couple:

• “Fit into a seat on a plane better” – Check!  I travel a bit for business and now I book the middle seat…just because I can!  I even put the tray table down…because I know it’ll be inches from me when before it would be jammed in my gut.
• “Could I run a 5k?  A 10k?” – Check, check!!  This was before the thought of actually running the Boston Marathon crossed my mind.  I started to focus on my running at the end of March and within 6 months I had run my first ever 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon and was training for my first ever full marathon.  Insane!  I have to admit, I’m pretty determined and it feels so good seeing myself accomplish things when I commit to them.
• “Walk up the stairs at Shag without being winded.  Once there, look cute in one of their robes.” – Double check!!  My favorite 2 -3 hours of the month is when I am sitting in the salon chair at Shag.  It is hands down the hottest and best salon in Boston and we all know how fanatical I am about my red locks.  It’s about 4 flights of stairs with no elevator to get there though.  In the past I’d be huffing and puffing…I’d hide before everyone could see me and try to catch my breath quick…never successfully though…and then head to reception smiling and pretending I wasn’t about to keel over.  Now I bounce up the four flights like Tigger and happily take the robe to change in to.  I used to dread that stupid robe.  There’s a tie around the middle and I always tied it in the back so no one could see it barely fit around me.  Now I tie it in the front and the ends hang low.  I was in there earlier this month and my colorist told me I looked great and asked what I was up to now.  She put my color on and let it set.  When she came back she said something like “What is this, the Jillian show today?”  I asked what she meant and I guess her assistant had commented to her that she couldn’t believe it was me and another of her clients was asking her about me and saying how beautiful I was and wanted to know what I was doing with my hair.  How times have changed!
• “Could I motivate others?” – Ha, we know too well how you all make me cry happy tears on a near daily basis so nuff said!
• “Skydive” – I’ve always wanted to skydive but never would have attempted it at my former weight.  This one remains unchecked…for the moment…hint hint…

I listed out a bunch of others but let’s not dwell on the past any longer.  I have come so far this past year but I’m most excited about where I am going.  The best is definitely yet to come.  I plan on taking every opportunity that presents itself in 2012 and I will settle for nothing less than my Best Year Yet.  I’m so glad to have you along for the ride.  xoxo          

The last pic I posted for 2011 - Lovies, Don't let 2012 pass you by. Transform your life. Make it in to whatever you desire. It is possible and you are worth it! xoxo

A friend of mine who is struggling with maintaining her motivation and focus asked me yesterday how I do it.  In her words “You seem to ALWAYS be on point with your eating and work outs.”

Let’s clarify a few things…I am not always on point with ANYTHING…I’m also not on time for anything!  I also don’t always want to be on point.  I am training for life (not a competition…yet…) and some of the most fun parts of life happen when you’re not on point. 

This reminds me of a Halloween party I was at.  I picked up a mini-cupcake and one of my friends (I won’t name names Bartkow!) yelled across the room…”You can’t eat that.”  Before I had the chance to ram that mini cupcake up his nose my b/f spoke up and said “No, she eats regular.  She always eats regular around me.”  The unnamed friend (Bartkow) was spared the frosting face and I ate the damn thing.  AND I didn’t feel guilty…not then and not the next day either.  Why no guilt?  Because I do always keep my workouts on point.  I work my tail off each week (boxing 2 days a week, running 4 days a week, weights 3 days a week…yes there are a few two a days in there to ensure I get 1 or 2 rest days) and if I feel like a treat meal I’m going to have it.  This is a life long change for me and needs to work in every aspect of my life for the long run.  This is what works for ME…and it does…obviously since I have lost 98lbs.  

For the most part I am 100% on point during the week.  Prep meal Sunday helps me stick with that.  I bring my cooler to work each day, head straight to boxing or the gym at night or run the Charles during lunch.  I like to save my treat meal for the weekend when I’m with my guy or friends.  It works for me.

Mostly I am on point though because I CHOOSE to be.  In my house at this very moment there are magic squares, frosted brownies and fudge made by my favorite 85 year old.  There are cream cheese tarts, meatballs and crabmeat hors d’oeuvre made by my mother and there’s a bowl of chocolate my brother put out.  I haven’t touched a single piece of any of it.  I’m not even tempted by it.  This transformation is no longer just about me…I have so many people counting on me, relying on me, pulling for me, cheering me on, even supporting me monetarily (fundraising for the Boston Marathon) I owe this to them. My success is now their success. I don’t get caught up in it…it doesn’t put the weight of the world on my shoulders…it just makes me want to succeed…for me…for them.  I want those 2lbs to hit 100lbs lost so bad not for me but so the next time I go to boxing and the teenage girl asks me again all wide-eyed “Did you get it?”  I can finally respond “Yes!”  and make her proud. 

The impact my journey has had on so many people is overwhelming. It blows me away each and every single day and I’m so grateful for it. I never expected this.  I am focused and I am determined and I love this journey.  Big things coming in 2012.  I’ll try to get one last 2011 post in tomorrow.  xoxo

You’ll remember last week I had just 3lbs to hit my long awaited triple digit marker.  I pulled out all the stops, worked out so hard (every.single.day!) that at the end of the week I could hardly move, kept my eating super tight and I lost…wait for it…1lb!  Fuck!  I wanted to see 100lbs lost so bad. 

I’m not going to let it get me down or derail my progress.  Instead I will use it as a reminder to myself that I need to pay attention to how I look and feel and not the number on the scale.  As soon as I hit 100lbs I am dumping the scale once and for all.  I will still check-in once a month but enough already of this weekly (who am I kidding) nearly DAILY torture.  I want to focus on losing body fat and gaining lean muscle.  Those changes do not always equate to changes on the scale. 

And let’s not forget…2lbs away from triple digits still means a 98lb weight loss!!  Holy fuck…insane!  I should be celebrating that and not stressing those 2lbs!  I’m a regular person with the regular life stresses everyone experiences, with the exception of 2010…that was a year that would have broken a normal person…instead I conquered it all and decided to begin this journey.  I’ve done it all on my own while maintaining my sanity and social life and never counted a single calorie or point.  If I can do it ….you can do it!  I typically hate when people say that but don’t get me started.  I’ll save that for another post.

PS: I may have only lost 1lb last week…but in the last 2 months I have lost another 7 inches off my body.  Crazy, right? 

Ok, off to the gym and then to get a Christmas tree and watch the game.  xoxo