Day 8

STATS

Left home: 2115
Partner: Mannix, my 10 month old labrador retriever mix
Music: None
Attire: PT Shirt, Under Armour capris, New Balance Crap Shoes
Distance: roughly 1.5 miles
Returned home: 2135


Ran well today, but am feeling terribly lazy. It's late and I'm tired. Will PT again on Thursday!

Day 3

STATS

Left home: 1921
Partner: Mannix, my 10 month old labrador retriever mix
Music: None
Attire: Under Armor Shirt, black soffees, air force compression shorts, New Balance Crap Shoes
Distance: 1.4 miles, by my car
Returned home: 1942 (not all of that time is running time)

Push-ups: 45
Crunches: 140
Planks (total time): 1:00

Tomorrow's Plan

Hydrate
Eat well (NO DONUTS ON THE TRIP HOME)
Walk/run the dogs
Map out a run at mom's that includes Red Bridge


So, I bought two new Under Armor shirts (thanks, Kellyn! Good idea, spoiling oneself!) and I have decided that if I can do this for three weeks (running every other day, rain or shine, motivated or not) then I'll invest in a pair of kick-ass running shoes. The kind you have to save for. The kind that you go to the store and get fitted for.

My old shoes.


And here's my lofty lofty goal!: Run the Shamrock in VB next March. I can't remember if its a marathon or only a half, but either way, I'm in. Will they let me run with my dog? And my long term plans include running a full marathon first, but eventually I will run the Marine Corps Marathon. In 2012 at the latest.

So, this running with no real pressure, being able to do my own thing and competing against myself only, is really good for me. It's awesome for my self-confidence and self-image. I am going to run Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week. THEN and ONLY then will I step back on the Navy's scale at the PT office. Next Friday, I'm going to go weigh in and see where I stand from the PRT. I was at 169 that day. I'm gonna see what comes of this next week and from there, I'll project my weight-loss goals. :-)

Out for now! Wish me luck!

Support (Or, I love my fellow sailors)

So, the support from my community has not been overwhelming, but it's been immediately noticable. People are speaking up, making comments (thanks Kellyn!), and expressing their good wishes.

This morning, I feel pretty neutral about yesterday. I'm making a consciously conscious effort to eat well (thanks, Christen) and stay active, even if it's only taking the stairs back to the first floor instead of the elevator. This [extremely] public record is also good motivation; If I can connect something I usually don't like (PT) with something I really enjoy (writing and putting together an aesthetically pleasing blog), I will most likely succeed. Or at least I like to think so.

Oh, and dating a skinny guy definitely helps. My last beau was a small guy (5'5" and about 150 lbs) and I felt like such a cow next to him. At least Sean is a bit taller and a bit broader; it helps with my own perception of myself.

Training Puppies

Training my dogs is a considerable amount of work. It's not really that much work, a couple of hours a week, but on top of a normal work schedule, it's often difficult to find the motivation to get up off my ass and do it.

Today it finally actually visibly paid off.
My 10 month old Lab/Shepherd mix ran by my side like a champ for nearly a mile and a half tonight. It was our first run together besides those sprints we did while walking when I felt particularly energetic. Which doesn't happen often.

We've been working on loose-lead walking for about 8 months now (since I brought him home, essentially); we've been working on "heel" and "break" and "sit" and "down." Until today it was all a rehearsal, and in the performance he did superbly. So it's paying off in a more or less quantifiable way. I'm proud of him, I'm excited to see what little Breanna will do and how quickly she'll learn. I'm excited to see how far these little guys will take me.

But mostly, I'm glad I have someones to get motivated for besides me. Finally.

Day 1

It wasn't a likely day to start running. At least not for me, a kid who has been fat since 5th grade. The temperature was hovering right around 50 degrees, it was sprinkling, the roads were likewise wet, I'd just started my period and was suffering from minor cramps. I'd spent all day sitting on my size 12/13 ass watching videos online, eating, and attending my unit's choir practice. I was not properly hydrated and my sprts bras are all so old and small that I hate wearing them because they make my fat stick out around the edges.
All of those things are very valid reasons not to run for me on a typical day.
Now let me give you all the reasons I actually got up and did it. And did it pretty well, if I may say so myself.

I had just watched a music video called "Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?" and there's a really skinny, sexy Asian chick in it. I felt fat watching her.
And now that I think about it, that may very well be the only reason I ran today.

STATS

Time: 1916
Partner: Mannix, my 10 month old labrador retriever mix
Music: None
Attire: PT gear, New Balance Crap Shoes, North Face jacket (against the rain)
Distance: 1.4 miles, by my car
Returned home: 1938 (not all of that time is "official" run time)

Push-ups: 47
Crunches: 103
Planks (total time): 00:46

Tomorrow's Plan

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (I know I could have done way better if I was hydrated)
Relax
Stretch
Walk Breanna (At least the same distance)
Do laundry