Frostbite 1/2 Marathon Saturday

I ran my first 1/2 marathon in Memphis to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital December 4, 2010. Going into the race, I really felt it would be a "bucket list" type experience that I would check off my list and then move on to the next item. Or at best, a once-a-year charity run I did because that race rocks so hard! And then I crossed the finish line...

Now, seven weeks later, I will participate in the Frostbite 1/2 marathon in Starkville. The 13.1-mile course is described as having "rolling hills" in all the promotional materials, but I'm not sure that's how I'd describe it. And the last three miles are just brutal; not just because you've already run 10 miles, but there are three back-to-back very large hills. I am confident I will be battling LuLu and her incessant nagging much of the race, but she'll kick into overdrive at mile 10.

I am praying that I will be able to find the strength to keep going and finish. While my first goal is simply to finish upright and before the finish line is closed (2 hours 45 minutes), I'd like to run the entire distance and close to my first 1/2 marathon time (2:18). I'm hoping I will be able to pace a little better than my first one as most of the runners will be much faster in this race.

While I feel ready physically (except for the soreness I'm still trying to work out of my quads from my kettlebell experience!), I'm very anxious and to be honest, not feeling confident. LuLu has been working her magic - "You're not ready." "The course is too hard." "You're not a fast runner and this race is for "real" runners." "You could relay it - you could do just 6 miles." And my favorite - "What if you don't finish before they close the finish line?" Ugh. Sometimes I really dislike that girl and wish she'd find another head to live in, but then I wouldn't wish her on anyone else.

My husband, the boys and my in-laws are all planning to be at the finish line; that will be good motivation. The weather is going to be just about perfect; 44 degrees and sunny. The first 10 miles are very similar to my typical routes. I know several people running the race, so there will be lots of familiar faces along the way. I'm well-hydrated and will get the right nutrition to fuel my body tomorrow. I will update my playlist tomorrow and, most importantly, I have a new shirt to wear.  Everything is falling into place for a great race...

But will I ever be able to go into a long run or a race without LuLu trying to beat me down?

Non-Scale Victory

Promised a picture of the non-scale victory of fitting into the boys' rocking chair and here it is! The best part of this one was the look on Riley's face the first time I sat in it. I told him I was going to take his chair and he said, "Oh, no you're not! You're too big." When I sat it and fit he said, "MAMA! You're smaller!" It was an amazing feeling to have him - at 3 years old - recognize it!

For perspective, that seat is 14 inches wide! :-)

Would love for readers to share some of their non-scale victories!

We all have a story...

One of the reasons I started this blog was because so many of the blogs I've been following make a complete lifestyle change sound...well, easy. And from my own experience, I disagree. There's nothing "easy" about losing weight or becoming a runner/swimmer/cyclist. There's nothing "easy" about overhauling the way you thought about food all your life and changing the way you eat. I've had (and still have!) plenty of struggles along the way, and I wanted to share them to (hopefully) help others with theirs.

Last week, I received this message (via Facebook) from a friend. It erased every doubt I've ever had about starting this blog. We all have a story to tell and telling it just might be what someone else needs to get started or keeping going (Note: I've changed the names).

*****************

Laura,
I read your blog the other day and have to tell you how much you've inspired me! First, I would have never imagined that you had ever dealt with some of the same issues I've dealt with. I think of you as beautiful, thin Laura, and had no idea that weight has been a strugle for you.

Since you've known me for a long time, you probably know that it has been a constant struggle in my life...I've been overweight for most of it and "normal" a little bit of it. The normal times were only after losing it the wrong way--like starving myself. I really hit bottom after my second child was born. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. It made me so sad to feel like I was the fattest person in the room everywhere I went (which may not have been the case, but I felt that way). I felt terrible physically and I was really mean to "Tom" --probably because I was so unhappy with my life. 

So, in September I finally decided to do something about it--more than just starving myself. I adopted a healthy lifestyle, and have lost 43 lbs. since then. I've still got 27 to go to get to my goal of 160, but I feel great. I've started doing Couch to 5K and my goal is to run a 5K...I've never been a runner, so that makes me really nervous, but I'm confident I can do it. I should be at my goal weight by then. I'm super excited and feel the best I've ever felt. And, I'm pretty sure "Tom" loves that I'm not mean anymore! And, seeing you do it just makes me all the more motivated. So...thanks Laura! You're amazing! :)

******************

One of the most important parts of a weight loss journey is to take as many people with you that you can. Our nation is hurting and dying from obesity - just a quick look around you will confirm that. So if you're running, cycling, walking, swimming and/or losing weight in your own little world, let me encourage you now to be open to opportunities to help others. We ALL need a little encouragement and accountability to keep moving. Plus, helping others will keep YOU motivated, too!

And don't try to use the "I don't have time" excuse with me, people! We can all make time to help others!

And Her Name Is...

Thanks to everyone who submitted a name for my "name-my-fat-girl" contest. There were some really good ones and I loved the explanations that accompanied them. You guys are creative; I knew I could count on you!

Here are the entries:

Bertha (Big Butt Bertha or Bertha Big Butt)

Lurlene

Lulu

(Fatty) Mattie

Gertrude

Bertha Bell

Fatty Boombalatty (shortened to "Phatty")

Mardi

(See comments from "Shadow Boxing" post if you'd like the explanations!)

This was a very tough decision. All were viable options. So, I had to fall back on one of the tests that we used for naming both of our boys...the ability to yell it without hesitation or stumbling over it when angry or frustrated.
And the winner is...

LULU

I love that it's similar-sounding to my name and that her strength for change came from God (more on that in a later post, I'm sure!). So, congrats to Courtney for her winning submission! (Send me your new mailing address, and I'll be dropping you a "happy" in the mail Monday!).

Thanks for playing, friends! Happy New Year!