Perfect July Run

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Coco

Today I ran my first long run since the Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon on June 5th. It didn’t even hit me until I was almost done that it had been so long since I’ve gone more than 5 miles. The weekend after Zooma I ran the Lawyers Have Heart 10K-turned-5K, the next weekend was spent at a lacrosse tournament, and then last weekend I ran a 5K on the beach in Key Biscayne.

The first thing that hit me when I started out was how nice it was! I didn’t check the weather, but it felt like it was in the upper 60s with low humidity–a true gift for July! The second thing that hit me was how everything felt stiff and sore: my lower back, my legs, my feet from those darn dress sandals I wore all day yesterday. I was planning on 8 miles, but when I got to my starting point, I decided to go for 9. It was just too nice to resist. 🙂

Even though I had started out early (about 6:15), there were lots of people on bike path. I guess everyone wanted to beat the heat and burn some calories before their holiday cookouts! I was aiming for a 9:30-ish pace and did pretty well with that after my first mile (which took about 10 min to shake off the stiffness). When I glanced at my Garmin I often saw a 9:00-ish pace, but then slowed myself down a bit. I have to remember that I am running an 8K on Monday!

After I walked a bit to cool down, I took time to stretch and then headed to the grocery store to pick up some ice and a grande bold coffee from Starbucks for my ice bath. Since my last ice bath didn’t feel quite cold enough, I decided to get three bags of ice. I don’t think I’ll do that again. It was *wicked* cold! 

Garmin Data
Total Distance: 9.01 miles
Total Time: 1:25:20
Split Times: 10:00; 9:36, 9:24, 9:41, 9:12, 9:23, 9:09, 9:34, 9:17

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My Declaration of Independence

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Coco

Happy Friday before the Fourth of July!

 At this time of year, I like to celebrate my freedom from unhealthy habits that used to weigh me down, physically and emotionally.

My Declaration of Independence

Stars & Stripes Bar

  • I declare myself free from greasy foods that leave me feeling gross.
  • I declare myself free from sugary snacks that make me crash and burn.
  • I declare myself free from craving soda that rots my teeth.
  • I declare myself free from guilt about indulging when it’s worth it.
  • I declare myself free from choosing clothes that hide my figure.
  • I declare myself free from sitting on the sidelines because I’m too out of shape to play.

Stars & Stripes Bar

  • I celebrate my freedom to enjoy a varied diet of nutritious, delicious foods.
  • I celebrate my freedom to say “No, thank you” to food pushers.
  • I celebrate my freedom from food hangovers and carb comas.
  • I celebrate my freedom to wear white pants and horizontal stripes.
  • I celebrate my freedom to blame designers—and not myself—when I can’t find clothes that fit.
  • I celebrate my freedom (and ability) to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Stars & Stripes Bar

(image source)

Have you read The Declaration of Independence lately? It is quite powerful, especially in view of recent protests against oppressive governments.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. . . .

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government . . . .

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States . . . . And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

 (My view of the fireworks last year)

How are you celebrating July 4th?

What would you write in your Declaration of Independence?

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Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running By Haruki Murakami

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Coco

I finally finished the first of the three running books my Mom gave me for Mother’s Day. Even though I picked the shortest one to read first, it has taken me this long! That’s partly because of my busy schedule, and partly because I had a hard time getting in to it.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki Murakami

The author, Haruki Murakami, is an award-winning, Japanese novelist who took up running when he was 33. At first, I found his writing to be boring. Although he was writing about interesting things, I didn’t feel engaged. I wondered if that stemmed from a difference in culture (Japan vs. U.S.) or perspective (male marathon runner vs. female non-marathon runner). Sometimes I felt like he was just too “zen” about everything to capture my attention. In the “Afterward” he explains the tension he feels as a novelist between “staying true to the novel” and “revealing his own true voice.” Maybe that holding back is why I felt like there was something lacking.

The book was interesting enough that I did want to finish it, even if only to see if it got any better–and it did. I found myself immersed in the descriptions of specific runs and races, and there seemed to be more of those as the book went on.

Probably because it resonates most with my own experience, I was struck by the struggle to find the right balance between under-training and over-training. Early in the book he writes this about one event:

There are three reasons I failed. Not enough training. Not enough training. And not enough training.

But then later he provides this important warning:

It’s important to push your body to its limits, but exceed those and the whole thing’s a waste. 

There are lots of other good nuggets in this book, and I probably will remember it more than I expect. Maybe that means it is a good book after all.

Have you read this book?

What did you think?

Posted in Book Reviews, Fitness, Life | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Biting My Tongue

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Coco

Whenever I’m at networking events, I always end up talking about my family. We can only talk shop for so long, and everyone is always willing to talk about their kids. I don’t know if I’m thinking about my Dad more now that he’s gone, or if I’m just noticing it more, but here are some examples from this past week.

At dinner, a colleague tells me that he used to live in Summit, New Jersey.  I readily reply

My Dad grew up there.

After learning where I live, a colleague tells me that his children were born at a nearby hospital. I think, but don’t say

My Dad died there.

We are plotting out a college visit road trip for my son. He wants to visit a school that is close to my Dad’s alma mater, but he isn’t really interested in my Dad’s school. My husband is trying to convince him to check it out because it is a good school with a good engineering program. I bite my tongue to keep from saying

Grandaddy would be so happy if you went there.

I probably couldn’t say that without crying anyway. I still have the hat I bought to give my Dad for Father’s Day when we were at the school in February for a wrestling tournament.

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sticks And Stones

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Coco

Last week Sue O’Lear (@MrsFatass) wrote a great blog post about her anxiety over her upcoming Zumba® certification class. The main concern she wrote about was

WHAT IF I AM THE FATTEST PERSON THERE?

Ugh. That feeling is so familiar. Even though I’m not overweight now, I was for so much of my life that being “the fattest person there” is an all-too-familiar, so-very-uncomfortable feeling. I can remember elementary school birthday parties, summer camp sessions, high school dances, and even work events where I definitely felt like the fattest person there. Sue’s ability to face her insecurities head on, and even turn them around to her advantage, is inspiring.

But as I read some of the comments that people left to encourage her, I got really sad. There were a number of comments referring to thin women as “sticks” or “twigs,” and discussing them in a negative context. While they were defending Sue from being judged for her size, they seemed to be doing the same to people who may be underweight. 

Is this really as far as we’ve come? We are quick to defend people who are overweight, but still willing to dismiss someone as a skinny b*tch?

What will it take for us to stop judging others based on their size?

Posted in Venting | Tagged , | 17 Comments