Team Weaver

Team Weaver was out in full force today.  Starting at 5:30 a.m. we left the house - I on my feet and my husband JIm  on his bike. We rode/ ran 2 miles until a water break - Jim carrying the water.  We continued for another 4 miles back and forth on a wide, well lit parkway.  I then headed out on another 3 mile out/ 3 mile back trek of the  planned run when I suddenly realized I need gatorade.  For some reason my nutritionists wanted me to just drink water.  But with 82 degree weather headed to 92 degrees, I need electrolytes.  Jim headed back to QT for gatorade and had it and ice cold water for me at mile 12. 

With 6 miles to go, I was dying, but I'm pretty sure this is where the mental toughness practice comes in.  I headed back down the parkway, Jim give me a thumbs up  each time he passed on his bike.  Finally I was at the park trails for my last 4 miles.  It was tough, and I was spent.  When I crossed the 4 mile mark on the trail, I still had .3 to go.  JIm was there with cold water and gatorade trying to figure out what I was doing.  When the watch finally read 18 MILES - I stopped.  Best thing to have cold water and gatorade hand delivered.  He also had the car with a towel to transport my tired 54 year old body back home.

After a quick shower, it was off to Snooty Pig for The Breakfast of Perseverance- me for running 18 miles and Jim for supporting me for 4 hours on Sunday morning.

Hurting all over, but a full heart,
TVW

Training and Working

For the past 8 years, I have either not worked, or worked part time.  If my job comes through, I will for the first time be working full time and training for a marathon.  This is going to be a shock for me- both the working 8 + hours a day,  and fitting in my run.

I'm a teacher, and for my marathon training time I have been working as a substitute.  I never worked more than 4 days a week, and I could work my running around my teaching.

But if all works out for my new job, I will be working full time while continuing to train for the Chicago marathon which is 50 days away.  I already have a conflict with my 18 mile run scheduled for today.  I have a 7:30 a.m. meeting so I had to switch my Saturday and Sunday running schedules.  This morning I have to run at 6 a.m. , in the dark, to get my run in while it is still cooler than 90 degrees.

Tomorrow I have to run 18 miles by myself.  Monday, I will have to run early again, and Tuesday (hopefully my first day) I'm not sure how I will do it.  I'm going to have to either run early in the dark, run late in the heat, or run bored to death on the treadmill.  I guess I am going to have to get tough and join the real world. I've had it easy for the past year training, but now I'm not going to have the luxury of a convenient run.  It will get easier when the temperatures drop. Afternoon and evening running will be an option. But for now, it is squeeze the runs in before work.  I'm impressed with all the people who have been doing this all along. 

Running by the moonlight,
TVW

Night Running

Thursday I found myself too nervous to run. I woke up at 5 a.m. without the help of an alarm. I had a job interview scheduled at 1:15 p.m.  But I kept putting off my run.  I didn't want to use my energy running -  I had an interview to worry about. So at 8: 30 p.m.,  6 hours after the interview I finally went for my run.  Summer weather has returned to Texas and even with the sun down, it was still in the high 90's.

My husband rode his bike on the same road while I ran - the idea was that he was near by for my protection.  Fifty minutes seemed like 2 hours.  It was hot, and it was humid, and it was after 8:30.  Finally with the help of 17 good songs, I finished.  As for my husband, he beat me home.  When he couldn't find me on the road,  he headed home.  So much for protection.

This Saturday I'm scheduled for an 18 mile run.  But, because of my job possibility, I have a meeting Saturday morning.  My husband has redeemed himself because he has agreed to be my support team on Sunday, when I  will run 18 miles by myself starting at 5:30 a.m. 

Motivation Returns with Cooler Weather

Running had become a drag.  Everyday for two weeks I've had to mentally drag myself out of bed and out the door.  At first I blamed it on my year and half pursuit of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I was just burned out.  Then I decided it was because I had not run a race since April. My motivation needed a competitive boost.  But on Thursday, the temperature  unexpectedly dropped.  90 degree mornings are typical for Texas in August. Thursday morning's temperature was in the 70's. Ah - it was the hot humid conditions that had zapped my running zeal.  With the cooler temperatures, suddenly my mood changed. The fun was back - the joy, the excitement, running miles unaware- it all came back. Cooler temperatures reminded me why I like to run.  It was a preview of fall running  only weeks away.  I could relax, my hope renewed for a 4:10 Chicago Marathon - the time needed to qualify for Boston. 

Saturday was even better.  At our 5:00 am start, the temperature was in the 60's- is this really Texas?  Add to that two conversational running buddies and the first half of my run flew by.  They were running 18 miles, and I only 10, so I turned back  at mile 5 to run the last half solo.  It was still cool.  No hills on the schedule. Eve, my nutritionists was the guest speaker after the run.  I even heard a short clinic on the best socks to buy. Wonderful Saturday!

Chicago Marathon, I'm back on schedule,
TVW

Fantastic Buy on Sweat Rag

I finally remembered during the week that I need a - what do I call it  - wash rag, wash cloth,-  actually it is my sweat rag.  Pure and simple that is what it is used for and so that is what I will call it.  Cloth sounds too dignified and I do not wash with it.  So the official name is SWEAT RAG.  

I found the perfect ones at Walmart. 

Not too thick - that makes it hard to tuck in my running shorts. 
Not too big - I dropped my make shift rag twice last Saturday which I made by tearing a  hand towel in half. 
Not too expensive - 18 for $4. With my accounting training I can calculate  in my head  the price to to be less than 25 cents each (22 cents to be exact).   
Not too special - with 18 I can drop a few, lend a few to fellow runners, and not get too upset if my dog eats one or two.


They are perfect and I may go buy another pack in case they are a back to school special.

Perfect timing to try out on my 9 mile run tomorrow,
TVW

Welcome Cross Country Season

Today I ran smack dab into the Keller High School Cross Country Team.  I'll bet there were 20 of them- guys and girls.  They had just started, I think, because they were all in a clump.  It doesn't take long for them to spread out.  It is always the same - 3-4 boys without shirts in front, followed by 3-4 thin girls.  After that is a larger mixed group of girls and guys, then there are the straggles.  I love to see them out early running while it is still summer.  They are rare among their peers.

I have a theory: Cross country runners are smart.  It was true at my kids' school and I'll bet is is true everywhere.  What it takes to be a good runner is that same that it takes to be a good student.

Discipline - These kids have to run early and long - even when it is hot. You can't cheat on weekly mileage or it will ruin your races.    Same with studying - those kids have to study long and hard even when everyone else is out having fun.

No crowd needed - Runners have to run many hours and miles by themselves, when no one knows or is around.  Same with good students. - they spend much time by themselves studying and pursuing knowledge/good grades.

Tactical - Runners continually check their watches, and their pace. They have a plan pace per mile and when to accelerate to run their best race.  It takes brains to calculate and keep up all that while running.  Similarly  good students constantly know their grade average and what grade they need to keep their grade point and class rank.

Not on TV - Only once every 4 years do we watch runners on tv.  Same with cross country - maybe the district or state meets attract attention, but most  of their races are run during the school day. No one is there but their parents and coaches. You don't even have to pay to watch their events.  Same with good students - no one watches them take big tests.  No spectators at ACT, SAT, or AP Tests - where they shine.  Exception is the Spelling Bee on ESPN.  

It is a lifelong pursuit - Runners don't have to quit when they get 30.  They can continue their sport their whole life.  Good students are life long learners no matter what field they enter.  

Another thing I love about Cross Country - there are no cuts.  Everyone can be on the team.  Everyone can win their race, not by coming in first, but by improving their own time.

What is not to love about this sport?
TVW

Tools for Long Term Healthy Eating

It is ironic that I would attempt to write about long term and healthy eating.  I can write better about backsliding and repeat offender.  But one thing I do have in my favor, I keep on keeping on.  The fact that I have not gotten much more than 20 pounds over my wedding day weight except for pregnancy is a little admirable.  So, here are the tools that when I use them do work to keep me from eating everything in sight for 6 months.

1. Write it Down/Calories Count  It is kind of like money, even if you don't keep track of it, it still counts.  So, keeping track of what I'm eating even when I blow it helps me not keep blowing it.  I use Lose IT .com and it makes it really easy.  

2. Drink water not diet drinks.  I don't know what it is, but  diet drinks don't taste good with healthy food, and water does not fit in well with junk food. I do drink coffee, tea, and Crystal Light and they don't seem to have craving for junk food effect that diet drinks have. I'm just saying.

3.  Weigh.  I don't like to do this because no matter what happens, my reaction is not good. If my weight is down, I like to eat the rest of the day for a reward.  If my weight is up, I eat all day because I'm depressed about it.  But I have noticed that not knowing is the worse.  So, I suggest weighing once a month.  Plus when your clothes get tight there is not denying that something is up.  Clothes you've had for years don't suddenly begin to shrink.

4.  Quit making food the highlight of my life.  This is huge.  I always think of fun as entertainment with a fun factor.  Most healthy foods aren't fun.  So, I give myself coffee after dinner and consider that fun.  I get other things to do distract myself like a good book or go to Target, or google famous people.  When food is the focal point of my life - and with all the restaurants, and cooking shows it is hard not to get consumed with food - especially when you aren't working full time - it is hard not to eat all the time.  So, I work to distract myself.

I have a few other tools, like buying fruit already cut up, and Chick-fil-a when I'm about to go wild eating.  But these 4 are the basics.