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March, 2008:

What’s My Motivation?

Mar 31st, 2008
by gazelle.
4 comments

Such a good question. For the longest time I was motivated by my desire to not be fat. That worked for the first 40 lbs. The next 25 lbs came off because I was motivated to be fit.

Now? I’m motivated to run very, very long distances. I think that’s why I’m not losing weight. I’m certainly in great shape. I’m losing inches, but the scale? Not budging in the way I’d like. I’ve lost my 65 lbs so slowly, it barely seems real. But, I’ve not gained any back. I’m the best maintainer in the world, maybe.

I have a few more pounds to shed (or, more realistically, some more fat to shed, whether the weight drops or not is anyone’s guess). I love tracking my food intake and my activity output and trying to figure out why I’m not losing the 1-2 lbs/week that are recommended. I’m more of a 1 lb/month kinda person. And most of the time I don’t think that should bother me. I’m still losing. I’m in great shape. It’s more about my fitness levels than the number on the scale. Blah blah blah. I can’t let it go, though. I want to see those lower numbers.

But that isn’t enough to motivate me. My motivation? I’m running a marathon in September, and I don’t want to feel suicidal despair at the end. I’m riding 100 miles in May, and other than a general soreness in my *ahem* sitting region, I don’t want it to be so hard I wish I hadn’t started.

So, Saturday I ran 8 miles. In 1:23.12 (that’s averaging a 10:13 minute mile). Yesterday the architect & I rode 25 miles (though the sleet & wind & cold). I’m practicing with my new clip-in pedals. I only fell once. Oh, but I fell hard. And in front of about 30,000 people. Of course. I’m kinda bruised, and a little sore, and I may need to replace my helmet as it is now gouged in places.

At the end of my run, I was pretty knackered, but I think that was due to the fact that I ran the last 1.2 miles about as hard as I could (8:46). Had I kept to my 10-ish pace, I would’ve been able to go a few more. At the end of my ride, I was frozen (see sleet), but not anywhere near the end of my energy. I feel confident that I could do 40-50 miles without needing to die at this point. And if one can do 50 miles comfortably, surely one can do 100 miles with moderate discomfort, right?

One of the things that has helped with the running speed lately is my new music mix. I have about 4 hours of music on my iPod for running, but some of the songs that really help me kick it into high gear are:

1) NIN, just about anything
2) Black-Eyed Peas, “Pump It”
3) Chemical Brothers, “Galvanize”
4) Nelly, “Hot in Here”
5) Rage Against the Machine, “Renegades of Funk”
6) P!nk, “Get the Party Started”
7) Papa Roach, “Last Resort”
8) Billy Idol, “Rebel Yell”
9) Cake, “The Distance” & “Never There”
10) Modest Mouse, “Cowboy Dan”

80s Rock – GnR, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Great White, Warrant (seriously, I love Cherry Pie); Ozzy; Dead Kennedys; Sex Pistols; Blondie.

I’m pretty sure the list goes on, but as I don’t have my iPod with me, I can’t tell you anything else specifically.  What do you listen to that you wouldn’t be able to run without?

March in Review

This month I logged:
13,000 calories burned in exercise
73 miles run
2,000 minutes of exercise (that’s 33.3 hours)
6 weight-training classes

Pounds lost? .8

Now I need to re-read my motivational speech at the top.  *sigh*

It’s About Damn Time

Mar 28th, 2008
by gazelle.
1 comment

It’s Friday.

Friday afternoon, to be exact.

It was snowing this morning.  Even in the city.  I drove the architect to work though the blizzard.  (Okay, that was an exaggeration – there was no blizzard – but the snow was starting to stick to the ground!)  Then, it cleared up.  I went running.

Sidenote:  I ran Tuesday & today with my super-fast friend.  She is so great to run with because she is a speedy, speedy monster.  And although she leaves me panting in her dust, I run so much faster with her than I do on my own.  It is very hilly where we run, and Tuesday I ran 10:36 miles, and today I ran 10:22 miles.  When I run on my own in the hills, I’m usually between 11:15 & 11:30 miles.   I think the fact that I remembered my iPod today (and that my new running mix is awesome) were big factors, but chasing a speed demon certainly helps.

And I’m back.  So, on our run, we got hailed on.  Just tiny hail.  Almost sleet-like.  But by the end of the run it was sunny & warm.  Now?  It’s pouring, sunny & hailing.  Spring is confusing.

But, in just over an hour, I can leave here and go fetch the architect.  Then, we will have drinks.  And food.  And it will be the weekend.

I Never Could Get the Hang of Thursdays

Mar 27th, 2008
by gazelle.
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It started out well enough.  Except for the fact that I can’t sleep past 4AM if my alarm is set for 5:15.  Which is lame.  I would really appreciate that extra hour+ of sleep.  Maybe I’m worried that I’ll oversleep.  ARGHH!

Anyways.  I went to my morning weights class and met a new friend!  It’s weird the first time you meet people from the internets.  It always feels a bit like a Match.com date.  Although I’d have been pissed off if anyone I’d dated from the internet had suggested a 6 AM weight-lifting class.  I’m more of a drinks by the ocean first date kinda girl.  However, since this was not a date, but instead two runner chicks who happen to belong to the same gym kinda meet up, it was less awkward.  Of course, the class was pretty brutal.  I may not be able to lift my arms over my head tomorrow.  Which may be the point.

After class, I went to work – full of pep & vigor and happiness.  I always feel great after working out, and when I do so very early in the morning, I feel great AND morally superior.  And excellent combination.

But a couple incidents at work that I really can’t/shouldn’t talk about put me in a pissy mood and I’ve been stuck there all day.

Plus, it’s been snowing for the last couple of days.  Not in the city itself, but where I work.  And, since I publicly taunted many midwesterners when my flowers were blooming and they were still getting snow, one might argue that I deserve this snow.  And this sub-50 degree weather.  And the distinct lack of sunshine.  And, for arguing that, you would deserve a swift kick in the shins.

Anyways, the combination of the pissy mood & the snow convinced me not to run.  Although, as my co-worker (who couldn’t run today because she hadn’t brought her lunch) pointed out, that’s when I should run.  I think we’ll probably both run tomorrow – no more excuses!  Or something.  I always feel a bit guilty when I skip a planned run, even if I’ve already worked out that day.

Again, as with every Thursday, I will now begin the predictable whining about having to work 5 days in a row.  In order to potentially shorten tomorrow, I’m going to take MAX again.  So I may not be in until noon.  Hard to say.  At least it will be Friday.  Perhaps an investment in a pocket flask would help me through these long, long weeks.

PORN!!

Mar 26th, 2008
by gazelle.
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Most of my internet porn surfing involves beautiful shoes that I can’t really afford. That kinda sucks. This week’s installment features shoes that are under $75 – which is generally my limit for shoe purchases (I actually hate to spend more than $50 unless it’s a pair of boots). I’m not a big advocate of Target or Payless shoes unless you’re looking for a one-wear cheap shoe (like dyeables or something), but there are plenty of good shoes out there that are affordable. And, if you look for sales, you can really save some big bucks.

So – two pairs today:

All this for only $65 (and free overnight shipping from Endless). I love the Naughty Monkey brand – not because I have any experience with their shoes – but because that is a very cool name for a brand. Naughty Monkey. Hee.

This Madden Girls shoe is under $40 – and just as cute as a button! It also comes in red/white – which is quite stunning, but I like the classic black/white.

I was looking for a third shoe in a different brand, but everything that caught my eye was Naughty Monkey – so fine – go and buy Naughty Monkey shoes. They are so cute. And naughty. And monkey-like.

You could get this one:

($41.22)

or this one:

($59.95)

Or even one of these ($74.95 each):

The most expensive Naughty Monkey shoe at Endless is this one:

– and it’s only $79.95.

In conclusion, I love Naughty Monkey. Also maybe they should send me some cool new shoes because I said so many nice things about them. And then I would say more nice things. Actually, any shoe company that wants me to say nice things about them can send me shoes and I will say nice things. I promise.

It’s a good thing global warming isn’t real

Mar 25th, 2008
by gazelle.
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Otherwise we might be in trouble.

In other news, I wish that the global warming was more, you know, warm.  And sunny.  I’m ready for real spring.  The spring that is more than tree buds and daffodils.  I want sunshine & 60 degrees.  If we’re going to have a global climate crisis, would it be too much to ask to have some nice weather for a couple of weeks?  I mean, Saturday was nice.  And yesterday seemed nice (I didn’t go outside much), but I’m certain that my run today is going to be less pleasant (although hopefully not less pleasant than last week’s first-day-of-spring sleet storm run).

I feel antsy and kinda cranky.  I’ve already eaten all of today’s snacks (I’m also hungry), and am not eating lunch until 2 because of my 1 pm run.

I love my 6 am weights class, even though it hurts to raise my arms above my head (but I have muscle tone – visible muscle tone – in my arms, so it’s all worth it), but it does kinda screw with my eating schedule for the rest of the day.

I was really, really productive, up until about 20 minutes ago.  Now, I’m in “lunch mode” even though I have 40 minutes before my lunch starts.  What’s a girl to do?

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