I'm here. And, Karen, of course I'll join in, because after all, we are a TEAM!
So, just in case you were wondering, who the heck I am, and how do I know anything about running or training for that matter - I'm a has-been on her way back again. (Please note the subtle optimism). I _used_ to be a nationally ranked nordic skier who ran x-country to keep in shape during the dry season. I learned a thing or two (or three for that matter) about training and competition. And, it is something that I find really enjoyable. I've always secretly desired to coach a ski or running team. Maybe in time. But, right now, I get to "coach" Karen, Lisa and myself in this endevor.
Now, you ask, why am I doing this. Gosh...lord help you for asking
because this simple question is likely to result in a novella. You know, something between a statement and a full blown novel. I digress. Anyway, I'm doing this for several reasons - we'll start with the selfish reasons.
(1) I'm fat. Let's make no bones about it. I am REALLY REALLY fat. We're talking nearly 80#'s fat. And that sucks. It is depressing, revolting, and just downright unacceptable. Especially, when I _used_ to be 12% body fat and you could bounce a bowling ball off my a$$.
So, I need something to get me to loose weight for real, and I want it to be based around exercise, not a diet so that I can sustain this for a lifetime. Also, damn, it really sucks to see more rolls than the Michelin man when you're naked (believe me, it's that frightening, especially when you're named Micheline.) And, I can't think of any positive thing about having to forcibly hold your breath as you bend over and try to tie your shoes. Yah, believe me, I'm fat.
(2) I'm out of shape. Nobody in their right mind likes to loose their breath going up a couple flights of stairs. And, I don't like being out of shape. I used to take pride in being in-shape. I lost that somewhere along the way. I want to feel like I can go play with my son, do active outdoor things with him, and for me to feel good doing it and for him not to be embarassed about having a fat mom. Trust me, he'll be embarassed enough, I'd like to spare him the added embarrassment of a fat mom.
(3) I needed someone to be realistic with. THANK YOU KAREN! Trust me, you are my HERO! Okay, why you ask....two things...one I've mentioned before, I _used_ to be a super endurance athlete, so I have a VERY difficult time being realistic about what my personal limitations really are. In my head, I'm still 130-something pounds and able to go out and be physically active easily. My brain hasn't caught up with the rest of me. So, when I go to try to "train" to do anything, I set unrealistic expectations and perceptions because I know what I am (used to) be capable of, and get discouraged when I to meet those mental expectations.
Second, my husband runs ultra-marathons, meaning he runs 30-50 miles, yes MILES, for fun, at once, no stopping. Okay, he hikes the uphills and runs the flats and downhills, and stops at aid stations, but he does this in a single day...and he's training to run a 100 mile race next year. So, trying to be realistic with my personal physical fitness level with him, is difficult. Running anything less than 6 miles is nothing to him. I mean, when 1.5 miles feels like a HUGE accomplishment, I'm not really excited to tell him, because, I mean, 1.5 miles to him is NOTHING. I can't even imagine him running less than 5. Case in point - when Karen and I "hooked-up" I was soooooo excited, I told Chet immediately that evening. His response was "10k, that's it?" Okay, before you get all mad at him, he wasn't trying to be rude, but that's just his
perception. So, after I jumped his $hit and lectured him on "hey, real people can't fathom running a marathon, let alone what you do, and to 98% of the population, 10k is a really big deal" he got it, and was super supportive (don't misunderstand, he was supportive from the begining, but more like, you're taking 9 months to train for 10k?).
So, it has been really difficult for me to let myself be a "beginer" not only because of my own perceptions and hang-ups, but because of my husband (though he wasn't trying too).
(4) I need a "TEAM." Even though I HATE team sports and have always done individual sports, I need a team environment. I need that support system that kicks you in the arse when you need it, praises you when you do good, and provides a little friendly competition to keep you focused. And with a team, it's not about what you get, but what you give. It's that critical support system. And a hubby in my case just doesn't cut it. I'm thrilled, because not only do I have Karen, but we've got Lisa, and we are a TEAM, and we will work at a TEAM, and we're accomplishing this as a TEAM, and even though each of us have our own personal reasons for doing this, and goals to accomplish, we will either win or loose as a TEAM. And that is just absolutely important to me.
(5) I love Karen. I'm not talking girl crush kinda thing (not that I'll admit to anyway
), but because she is an awesome person. When she told me about her secret desire to run 10k, well, I totally suported her desire, and I thought I had something to offer to help her accomplish her goal. The more we talked, the more I was drawn in, and wanted to join her. So, really, my involvement started out first wanting to help Karen - because yes, you can prepare to run a 10k by just running around your block and just keep adding distance. Plenty of people do it that way...but I figured, if you're going to do something you don't think you like to do (i.e. run) and you want to do something spectacular, why not do it in style. So, I just wanted to offer some "style" to Karen's goal. Also, you're more likely to succeed if you have a plan, right.
(6) I need to do this for my health. I guess this pretty much is somewhat duplicative of reason #1, but for me they are separate and distinct. As a result of being FAT, I have health issues. I developed pregnancy induced high blood pressure, that didn't go away after the birth of my son. Now that I'm SUPER FAT, it hasn't gotten any better (surprise, surprise, surprise). Also, I suffer from pretty sever depression. The depression affects me, my relationship with my husband, and my relationship with my son. And I'm tired of it. Studies have shown that moderate exercise has the same effect on depression as low dosages of anti-depression drugs. If the medication I take plus the exercise can help my mental well being, awesome. And loosing weight will help, as that is an issue with my depression (self image). Also, exercise will hopefully provide a more constructive outlet for my anger and rage. Yes, as a part of my depression, I have fits of anger and rage that I take out on myself. So, this will become a better outlet for me. So, through this process, I hope to lower my blood pressure and increase my self-image and better manage my depression.
But, this is really all about a cooperative endevor. This is Karen, Lisa and myself working toward a joint goal. We are a team! And this is our record.
THE GOAL...and other miscellaneous ramblings...
Sounds impressive, doesnt it? I have full trust in Micheline that she can steer us in the right direction.
, Diet DP (lunch)
Linear Mode
