Updates

Fat Tuesday?  Ash Wednesday? Lent?  No dairy, no meat lasted about a week and a half.  Then I realized I was hungry ALL the time and decided to go back to my normal diet, which was actually healthier....  So another fail on things I try to do.

Also, I mentioned earlier (during my busy season/studying post) that I was trying to get my company to sponsor us for the Gasparilla Distance Classic.  I was able to get the company to sponsor us, there was actually already a gentleman in the office who was organizing it, so I worked with him, and my department and I think we ended up with about 20 people from my department who signed up for the race.  I ended up doing the 15K instead of the 5K, and the corporate team I was on came in 1st place!

Jesse and I at the end of the 15K

We also had an end of busy season bowling event for my department, and my bowling team won highest score and most creative name, which was "I Can't Believe It's Not Gutter." I only have one picture from the bowling event, but there are more, so I'm going to try and get copies of them.

George, Dave, Anthony, Jessica, myself, and Brian

I have continued to work out, and dropped down to minus 9 pounds since I began working out again in December.  I've kind of plateaued at minus 9 pounds and decided I needed to start mixing up my work outs.  Instead of doing classes with the girls from work, I started working out  in the morning with a boy, sometimes boys, from work doing strength training. I've added to that runs during the week with said boy from morning work out and another boy (not from the morning work out) whom I also work with. I am still staying at the same weight, but there is a difference in my body and I can tell I am much stronger.  I also recognize that I have severe body image issues.  I find I obsess way too much over how I look, so I'm trying to work on that issue, but really I think just being healthy will help it.  At least my obsession leads to mostly healthy behavior and not harmful behavior (beyond the fact that I spend too much energy focusing on body image).  I just have to watch what I say in front of my nieces as I don't want them to experience the kind of self doubt and obsession that comes with low self body image.

I received my scores back from the last section of the CPA exam, BEC, and I scored an 87.  I have now completed two sections (I also completed FAR with an 84), and have begun to study for REG.  My strength training/running friend from work is also taking REG next, so for the first time I am studying with someone else.  This both helps me to focus, when we're studying, and distracts me from starting to study.  But we've actually kept up a good pace through the materials and should have plenty of time to final review together before we take the exam. Still no date set for when I am going to sit.

Since the gift of the ring, I've tried to contact Mark just to talk to him.  I do miss him and I wish he hadn't completely shut me out of his life.  Still no reply from him on any of my messages.  *sad face*  So I was just Facebook creeping his page, and really, just old photos that I posted of when we were together and I came across our last picture as a couple.  This picture was taken on New Year's Eve in Mexico City, literally hours before we broke up.  How is that for life documentation, we don't look so happy.

Born to Run

I started reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall when it was given to me by one of my friends who I inspired to run, and has since ran more, and become more dedicated than I am (although I'm working on that).

Since December, I started working out again, my confidence is back, I feel happier all the time, and I've lost 7 lbs.  On top of all that, I recently, this last Saturday, finished a 15K and beat my goal of 10 minutes per mile to finish in 1:29:41 for an average pace of 9:37.  Not fantastic, but it is good for me considering the lackluster 2010 I've had as far as working out.  This was all while working 60 hour weeks.

I haven't finished the book yet, but it is absolutely fantastic so far.  I'm so impressed with the running community, the atmosphere of races and the environment which runners operate in.  I wanted to start running because I loved the community of runners.  Now it has become a challenge, a stress reliever, and a way to zone out and unplug from working all the time.  Work life balance is crazy in public accounting, half the year you're so busy that you don't see your friends or family, and the rest of the time everything is laid back (to a certain extent) and you have time to go on vacation, relax, and enjoy life.  We recently finished working 60+ hour weeks, and I'm actually more worried about staying motivated to work out now that we have more time.  It was easy when we worked all the time because if I didn't work out once or twice a day, then ALL that I did was work.  I've begun making more and more connections with people I work with to meet up and run or go to the gym, work-out dates, if you will, to motivate me to keep going.

So the book...ultra marathoners.  How amazing to ask your body what it is capable of and then pushing beyond what people thought was possible.  Man originally hunted by chasing down its prey until it was too tired to continue running away.  The raramuri are still like this, they have never given up running as a form of transportation, as a way of life. And there are still people in the United States who ask, and get, from there bodies exactly that kind of performance.

One of the things that I find the most touching and motivating is determination and great success in things ventured because of said motivation/determination.  That is why I love pure competition, pushing one's self to the limit and succeeding, and continual improvement.  Going to races, sports movies, the Biggest Loser, Championship games, bootstrapping in unique ways to overcome the odds.  In a way, this is what this book is about, but not even, I suppose. It is about people who do things because they LOVE to do them.  Because they want to know where the limits are and then push them even farther.  

What makes the individuals written about in Born to Run different from me?  What can accomplish I if I apply myself and work hard.  If I push myself beyond the limits I've known up until now?  And can I do it?  Am I focused enough, or will I be distracted by everyday life, by the things I feel need my attention now so that I can make the "right" choices in life.  The reason I went to business school instead of art school.  The reason I work at a public accounting firm instead of travelling the world.  Are these the same things that are going to always hold me back.  The things that make me afraid to take such a leap and be damned the consequences.

In Born to Run Mcdougall talks about how Caballo Blanco, Jenn Shelton, and Billy Barnett made the decision to pursue their passions because, what the hell did they have to lose?  That is the type of freedom I want in life.  To be comfortable enough to make decisions because, why not?  Lets make it work.

Picture Pages Pt. 1

This is just cuteness.  My mom's sweet dog, Iris.

Sunset from the office window.  We have a great vantage point, but it is still a little sad.

Made it out early enough to catch the sunset on my run.

Getting more adventurous with my salad.  Added some frozen blackberries to my yogurt. 

 I am loving my salads.  This has spring mix greens, peppercorn turkey breast, orange peppers, grape tomatoes, feta, and dried cranberries, and it will have honey mustard dressing, of course.

Staying on Track

What a crazy week it has been.  Peak season is upon us once again.  Luckily, I was able to avoid weekend work, but I did log 50 hours this week.  In public accounting we have the equivalent to the "freshmen 15." I'm trying to stay active despite the workload and avoid the busy season weight gain that comes as a result of long sedentary days and the unhealthy dinners that the company orders when we work late.  I missed my run on one of my 10 hour days, mostly because I gave in and ate the BBQ pulled pork they brought in for dinner.  Something about BBQ, baked beans, and mac n' cheese just doesn't lend itself to running.  The next day I finished my work quickly and thought I would be able to get out early enough for a run, but we ended up getting a work request in at 5:30, so I ended up working 12.5 hours.  I had told myself I wasn't going to make excuses for not making healthy choices, so I changed into my running clothes in the parking garage and headed out for my run.  I didn't end up getting there until 10 PM, but my route is well lit and even at 10 PM there are other people out for walks/jogs/bike rides.  I could tell that I was covering the miles quickly (relative to me) and felt really good about it. 

I've also been getting excited about the lunches I've been packing in my Go Green Lunchbox, which I bought as part of a fundraiser for my nieces' school.  The new designs are decidely more childish than some of the old designs, but I guess I did buy a children's lunchbox.  The design of my lunchbox is a black and white houndstooth, which they no longer carry.  I've been using this lunchbox for a while, and lately I've been trying to eat healthier, so the lunch box is convenient and there is enough room for not only my lunch, but also for snacks throughout the day. 

Here is my lunch on Thursday, that is the first day I decided to start taking pictures of my lunch:

 The side salad compartment is actually where a stainless steel drink holder goes. 

My mom has been making chicken salad and keeping it in the fridge.  I love my mom's chicken salad and it is easy to throw into a pita with some romaine for lunch.  I got her to begin using plain greek yogurt in the chicken salad instead of mayo.  She adds a little bit of honey to the yogurt to sweeten it up. There is salad dressing at the cafeteria at work, so I can grab some honey mustard there.  This was the first time I brought a salad in my lunchbox.

I liked the salad so much that I made it my main course the following day:

Now I just need to think of more ideas for my lunches. 

In addition to making myself go for my runs and focusing on what I eat (trying to stay on track especially where snacking is concerned), I have set a running goal for myself.  Last year I was signed up for the Gasparilla half marathon which I didn't end up running because I hurt my knee shortly before the race.  The next race is coming up in February and I would really like to be able to run it this time.  Last year before the race I was up to 9 - 11 mile long runs, I'm currently at three and a half miles, so I've got some work ahead of me.  I also need to add strength work to my currently all cardio regime.  I've noticed that making these changes makes a huge difference in my energy level, my confidence level, and and my overall happiness.  I just get so down and slow when I make poor choices.  I need to remind myself of that when I'm feeling lazy or my work orders the delicious sugar cookies or cakes from Wright's.

Not My Inspiration

During my last relationship, with someone who was very physically fit and active, I channeled much of my frustration with the relationship into also being physically fit.  Not that I wasn't fit before, I just began to identify myself more as 'this is what/who I am'.

A race M and I ran in AZ while visiting his family.

I was going to the gym several times a week, running, bicycling, and swimming.  I liked my body, and I loved the way I felt. I thought it was great that I could beat my personal records, and hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up in one day, and go cycling in all the cities I visited. I was building up mileage, I could run pretty far and at a decent pace.  After running for half a year it wasn't uncommon for me to finish in the top of the middle of the pack.  Which was good enough for me.  I even got a couple of hats and division medals...or one of each, but who's counting?

When my relationship ended I sort of went off the deep end in terms of lifestyle.  I started going out more, making new friends, spending time with other people, and just generally not working out.  Add to that going out to eat and drinking, and I gained 10 pounds and lost muscle tone. 

It has been about 5 months since I stopped working out regularly.  I still get out every once in a while, but I definitely do not have the same level of fitness I once had. Since the time I stopped running several people have come up to me and told me how far they are running now, and that they never ran or worked out before, that they are training for this or that race.  Half marathons, 10K's, 10 miles...  Frankly, I am jealous.  These are people who told me I inspired them to start running, and I'm not even running 5K distances anymore. 

I am so glad people used my running as their impetus to start running.  I had people who were my inspiration to start running, and I always felt like it was a gift.  It is such a good feeling when you accomplish a longer distance, or finish a race faster than you expected to.  Hopefully they can now be my inspiration to start again, and then I can thank them for giving such a great gift to me.

After a race with some of the people who inspired me to start running.  I am on the left.