Catch-Up

I have things to say, but I feel like I have to play a bit of quick catch up before I can.  So without further ado...

Running the 10K is off.  Mainly because our friend who wanted us to run hurt his back and can't run (although, thankfully, he's getting better).  I had already resigned myself to walking most of it though because...

The running thing was going very well.  Was.  I was packing on the distance and about a month in my right foot started hurting all the time, regardless of whether it was bearing weight or not.  So I went to see my friendly base PA and it turns out I have a rather large bunion that has appeared from nowhere. I say out of nowhere because my foot shape isn't exactly condusive to having bunions, but yet there it is.  Unfortunately there aren't a lot of solutions.  I can have inserts made to prevent it from getting worse and hopefully allow it to improve.  Tricare won't cover this option because I'm a dependent. They run about $1000, which wouldn't be so bad, but my PA had them and they weren't helping her.  The other option is surgery.  That is covered by Tricare, but there's a 3 month recovery period and I just don't they're bad enough for that yet.

She did suggest that I get fitted for new shoes.  And she's right, my running shoes have become loose and don't fit me properly anymore (I do this weird thing and lose significant amounts of weight in my feet, changing their size - from middle school to high school I went from a shoe size of 11 to 8).  In fact, none of my shoes fit right now - they're all too big.  But my feet don't seem to be done shrinking yet and I can't just keep buying shoes. So for now I'm not running and doing other things instead.  On a positive note, the fitness folks on base will do a free stride analysis for me and recommend shoes, so I'm definitely going for that when the feet decide they're done.

In happier news, I've lost almost 20 lbs since mid-January.  I'm doing the Weight Watchers thing and it's going well so far.  I've lost weight faster in the past, but I'm doing this in such a way that I'm not miserable and frankly I think that's more important.

It's still snowing here - probably will for another few weeks.  I mean it's not coming down constantly or anything - it generally snows at night and melts in the morning.  But seriously, I want spring.  Please. 

My folks came out to visit a few weeks ago.  It was awesome and I'll probably talk about it more later.  My mother-in-law is coming out in two more weeks.  It's nice to have visitors. 

We've also spent the winter months making things and I'll do a post on that soon too.  Maybe a few.  Complete with pictures.  Excited, yet?

And I think that does it for catch up.  More coming soon.  I think.

How Not to Train For a 5K (con't)

Step 7: On a whim decide to buy ice for a party, convienently forget that ice melts into water and that the floor in front of the ice machine will be wet, slip with all weight on left foot, wedging foot under machine and torquing at the same time.  Have ankle wrapped and elevate. 

Sprained ankle for the win!

How Not to Train For a 5K

Step 1: Make plans to be away from your air-conditioned gym for the entire summer.

Step 2: Make sure the “away” location is somewhere hotter and more humid than hell.

Step 3: Forget to pack your running shoes

Step 4: Forget to pack running shorts and road ID

Step 5: Forget to ask for running shorts and road ID when requesting running shoes

Step 6: When running shoes arrive via visiting husband, do something to mangle your feet so that you cannot wear them (I recommend breaking in new heels and running into sharp metal things barefoot )


I always did prefer training in the Fall.

Per the Planner

One of my favorite things about a new year is getting a new planner. When I was still in school I would actually get a new one both in August and December. I don’t have that excuse currently, but I do start hunting down my planner for the new year in October. Before I start Christmas shopping even.

This year, I’m using the MyAgenda by MomAgenda. I lurv it. I did not lurv the shipping price or 8 days from shipping date wait for it appear at my door. But the amount I lurv it overcomes all that. True lurv conquers all.

The MyAgenda is set up with the week spread over two pages and 5 rows. It also has monthly views, includes a “My Essentials” for key addresses, phone numbers, important dates etc, and is set up for you to start writing in events for next year. But, for now I’m focusing on the weekly view and my 5 blocks…

The top row is labeled my week and has space for appointments, the other 4 blocks are blank to be broken up as desired. One of the reasons I love it is because of this – I can change the planner as life changes. For now, my 4 blanks are work, the side business, to do (for personal and home life) and exercise.

But you know what, y’all? Do you know what my exercise block says for today? It says “C25k, Week 5, Day 1”. Guys, I haven’t run since December 14th. That’s just over a solid month of not running. And I’m down right scared. I’m so scared, that I’ve been putting off my triumphant return to the treadmill off for a solid week now. You know, because if I just ignore it, it’ll go away or get better, right?

But, my agenda, my pretty Caribbean Sea blue agenda, with my name in silver embossed on the cover, says that this is what I have to do…who am I to disobey? She’s a harsh taskmaster, y’all, harsh.

Future Trophy Wife

A few summers ago I was wandering through a beach shop and came across a trinket I wanted my husband, then fiancé, to buy me. It was a keychain, or drink coozie, or bookmark, or something emblazoned with “Future Trophy Wife”. I knew right then and there that that was my goal and I wanted the pretty thing to remind me of my new mantra.

And I know that sounds sort of pitiful, but it truly is my goal. It’s not that I don’t think I’m an excellent catch. I’m smart, kind, funny, clever, charming, hard-working, a great cook and baker. Some days I even think I’m pretty. Oh, and did I mention modest? I’m definitely modest. But I’m not the type of girl that the average person on the street would give a second glance.

I remember some years ago, at a bar with my cousin and his wife, this drunk guy came stumbling across the room to ask her to dance. She sort of indicated my cousin, who had already intimidated the bouncer to get me in (I may have been slightly underage at the time) and said, “no, but thank you”. The drunk then staggered to my cousin and pulled back his fist. His friends starting yelling at him to stop and my cousin braced to be hit, but instead the guy shook his hand and said, “Man, she’s amazing” and walked away. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no desire be treated as an object or a possession. But knowing someone had said that about me – well it would certainly cheer me up on days when I was down.

When we first moved to Wyoming, I let my fitness and eating habits slip. I was depressed and lonely and the one thing I could do that made me less homesick was eat the things that reminded me of home. But then I figured out that being lonely and homesick AND out of shape wasn’t any better than just lonely and homesick. So this year, it stops.

I started the couch to 5k training program this fall. I didn’t quite finish it before going home for Christmas, but I did get to the point where I could run for 20 minutes straight (huge milestone for me, by the way). I’m going to get back to it and then make running a 5k a regular part of my routine. I want to then train for a 10k, a 10 miler, and a half marathon. I want to start bike-riding again. And if you read my previous post, you know I’m excited about the veggies and healthy eating. I’m excited and I’m ready. I’m also motivated by a couple of family weddings coming up in the spring. I AM a future trophy wife.

It has occurred to me though, since spotting that little thing that I was probably not the intended audience for it. I can’t imagine that the maker was trying to be inspirational to women who needed a little push into a healthier lifestyle. I actually suspect it was meant for tweens and teenagers to suggest or advertise their future “career”. And that sort of sickens me. I really hope I’m wrong about that. Regardless, I’m still grateful for the inspiration it gave me.

I Suppose It's Best that I'm not a Vegan...

What is it about my parents’ house that makes me forget what a vegetable is? It really makes no sense. At home I manage 5-6 servings a day. Add to that the 3-4 servings of fruit I eat and you might think I was some sort of nutritional goddess.

But when we visit my folks, not so much. We were there for a solid 3 weeks and I averaged mayve 1 serving a fruit a day and half a serving of vegetables. Truly pitiful.
It is so funny to me how such a little thing like that can throw my eating off so completely. It’s not like we’re truly guests and I have say in what groceries get bought and suppers are made. But nonetheless, I am veggie-less.

Maybe it’s just easy to fall into childhood eating habits where food is safe and frequently canned. It works for them, who am I to suggest we sub some spinach for the biscuits? Or maybe, because I’m no at a perfect weight, I’m embarrassed to suggest a healthy change?

Whatever the answer is, my fridge, abundant with fresh produce is the one thing about Wyoming I missed over our holiday break. Bring on the veggies!