Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
- Pink Floyd

I’m doing very well right now.  Let me start by telling you that I’m about 3.5 pounds away from a 100 pound weight loss (yeah….  that’s right!)  It really jut hit me (SMACK!) on Friday and I started to become very excited.  It hit me because my husband and I decided what we’re going to do to celebrate.  He will be taking me down to the Florida Keys to:

PARASAIL!!!!!!

I’ve never been up in the air without the assistance of an airplane or helicopter so this will be quite an experience to say the least.  Since we started making plans for this I’ve been pushing myself very hard to get rid of these last 3.5 pounds.  It’s really a pretty small amount of weight but I also suspect that it still might just take awhile.

The other day my facebook post was “I have lost 96.4 pounds since I started my journey. Who can guess the date that I lose 100??? The winner’s prize will be… well… nothing… but it could be a fun game.”  The responses I received were dates anywhere between August 23rd (tomorrow) and Sept 3rd.  Realistically, I think it will be Sept 12th or after but who knows?  Either way, I’ve decided to stop my official weigh ins for the moment.  My focus will be to keep my eating on target while following my training program as close as possible.  I know enough about myself…  I will obsess over the scale.  I don’t want my journey to be that stressful!  Know what I mean?  Anyways… I will keep you posted and as soon as I hit that 100 you will know it!

Training is GREAT.  It’s beyond great.  I love it!  I really pushed myself during my long run with Caleb’s Crusade.  The mileage is still pretty short but will be climbing very soon, even sooner than I originally thought (see next paragraph for why).  Yesterday we ran 4.5 miles.  When we returned to our starting point I saw that the clock on the bank across the street reflected 1 hour, 1 minute later!  I am not sure but I think I squealed really loud.  I was so excited that I just threw my arms up in the air… and then I sprinted the rest of the distance.  I didn’t sprint much because I was REALLY TIRED but I wanted to make sure I crossed the ending point before the time changed. I basically ran 4.5 miles in 1 hour, 1 minute!  That’s a huge improvement for me.  When I started my journey my 5K time was 59 minutes.  This week’s pace is a huge change to me (if my calculations are right, that’s more than a 5 minute/mile change and also approximately 29% faster).

Following our training we met up with the other awesome peeps from the team.  We discussed Ragnar, an amazing 202 mile relay race I talked about last week.  We’re trying to put a team together for Caleb’s Crusade.  If any of you are runners and are interested in joining us for this please let me know ASAP.  Preference will be given to Caleb’s Crusade team members but we might have some open spots.  Also during our talks we began discussing a September 25th 15K run in Orlando called “Miracle Miles“.   Ummm….  that’s 9.3 miles… ummmm….  that’s a month away.  ummmm….  Josie and I are going to do it!!!  Holy CRAP-IN-OLI!  We will be increasing our weekly long run miles faster than anticipated.  I have to say that I’m very excited but very SKEERED!!!!  I’m going to do it.  I was hoping to increase the weekly miles faster anyways.  I talked to Josie yesterday and I have no confidence that I’ll be able to run 9.3 miles straight in the next month but I am going to work my butt off and I will cross that finish line.  I will run what I can.  My goal is to be able to run 6 of the 9.3 miles straight by then.  I am hesitant to push for more because it’s still quite hot in Florida sometimes at the end of September and the race also starts later than we’re used to running.  I want to be realistic.  Anyways… I look forward to keeping you posted on how the training for this race goes, and how the race itself goes.

My race schedule is very very very full.  Take a peek.  I also added a separate page for my race schedule because I myself am having a hard time keeping up.

Lots of good stuff happening!!!!  I really have a lot to look forward to working towards.  And to be frank, I’m scared half out of my mind.  I really am.  In spite of that though I am going to take one day at a time.  When I’m able to complete all of the races on this list I’ll know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can accomplish so much more than I ever dreamed possible.  I am already changed quite a bit from the old me.  Now I can’t wait to prove it.

By April 2011 I think I will look like this…

Sometimes I really feel like Forrest.  I have some really exciting things to tell you about but I do so (quite honestly) with a bit of fear…  I’m actually kind of shaking in my running shoes.  I know that with a whole heck of a lot of determination (and proper training) I will be ready.  I’m getting great training through Caleb’s Crusade.  Now, I just have to make sure I stay determined.  I CAN DO THIS!!! As of this past week I have committed to three of the following four races.  The first one listed I’m still considering and haven’t yet made a formal commitment to it.  I will probably do it too.  So what’s the timeline?

RAGNAR RELAY NOVEMBER 19-20, 2010!!!

I have heard of similar relays but I never even considered something like this until a friend brought it up.  This is a 200 mile relay from the Clearwater, FL area to Daytona Beach, FL.  Twelve crazy souls caravan across the state with one crazy soul constantly running.  I took a hard look at the details today and got a little scared.  When I really looked at the mileage for some of the easier sets it didn’t seem all that bad.  If I was able to run one of the easier sets I would run 9, maybe 10-12 miles total.  By November that will match my training schedule anyways.  It’s also not running the entire distance straight.  With the easier set I would run four times total, anywhere between 3 – 5 miles (approximately) during any of my sections.

Here is the map for the route:

Yeah… it is a daunting distance… and…  it’s basically 24-36 hours straight.  On the flip side of fear we find a ROAD TRIP!!!!! I get to ride in a team decorated van with at least 6 other very sweaty, crazy runners (pee-ew!!!).  I don’t know about you but that sounds SO FREAKING AWESOME TO ME!  Yeah, I’m a little crazy.  I love group experiences like this.  It sounds like the ultimate road trip.  There’s a possibility that we may put a team together from Caleb’s Crusade.

I have not made up my mind on this.  I’m not sure what’s holding me back… I have found nothing negative about doing this relay race.  It will also closely match the miles I need to do for practice that Saturday anyways.  Alas…  I’ll decide soon.

I love a sign that I saw that was posted on one of the past Ragnar Relay vans, “CAUTION RUNNERS ON ROAD And yes, they smell worse than they look”.  I can only imagine driving on the road and seeing that.  Knowing me I would laugh so hard that I would not pay attention and hit one of those poor running souls with my car!  So… once Ragnar is complete (if I do it) then I will continue my training for my first half marathon…

Disney Half Marathon January 8, 2011!!!

This is one I’ve already talked about, of course, but I’ll relist it for others that may not know.  On January 8, 2011 I will run the Disney Half Marathon with Caleb’s Crusade Against Childhood Cancer.  This is what originally got me started in long distance running.  Before the opportunity to run with Caleb’s Crusade came along I had never really given an endurance event like this a thought.  Last week we received our official training schedule.  Up until this point we’ve been conditioning.  We have a lot of new runners in the group (me included) so it’s been awesome.  By October and November we will be running an average of 18-20 miles each week with long runs up to 11 or 12 miles.  I’m so glad it will be cool outside.  The heat this summer in Florida has been BRUTAL!!!!  In September I will also include in my workout weekly bridge runs with the team to get some elevation work in.  Since Florida is so flat this is really the only way to get this type of training, without a treadmill.  Up to this point all of the running I’ve done has been conditioning so the mileage has been somewhat limited.  I’ll be totally honest, I have felt very insecure as of late when I look at the training calendar.  I will definitely need to take this one day at a time.  I will just need to keep moving and follow the calendar.  If I keep on top of it I know (intellectually) that I will be OK.  I also know that in the end when I run across the finish line at Disney I will be in tears.  I will have made it through the biggest challenge of my life.  I will be very proud.  I also suspect that the whole process will change me.  And when this race is over, I will turn around and my second half marathon the first week of March at home in the (drum roll please)…

Hooters to Hooters Half Marathon March 2011!!!!!

I am really excited about this because it’s local and the rest of my team have spoken so highly of this race.  It will also be a challenge because there are two bridges between the start and finish line.  This will be no piece of cake that is for sure!  I’m hopeful that since it’s local that some more of my family members will be able to come out to the finish line.  Then I can show them visual proof of the running.  They have heard much more than they’ve seen.

And now to the final race that I have on the books.  I just signed up for this one today.  I can’t wait for this one.  It will be beautiful.  It will also be my first full trail run.  It is a 15 mile run in Brookesville, Florida called the

Croom 50 Mile, 50K, and 15 Mile Fool Run April 2011!!!!

Of course, this fool is going to commit to the 15 mile run.  I think after all of the running between November and this date I’ll be due a break.  Wait… how can a 15 mile run be considered a break???  Well…  doing this on the beautiful trails of Florida at this gorgeous time of the year will be relaxing.  I fully intend to enjoy the heck out of this race and just relax.  I have at least one friend doing it with me too so hopefully it will be a nice end to what I would consider to be my “race season”.  I do believe that when I make it through all of this that the following “race season” will start with marathon training.  By this time next year I fully intend to be training for my first marathon.  One day at a time…  one step at a time.  Some steps will be slow, and some fast but I will make it if I stay focused.
As far as the weight loss goes,  last week on an “unofficial weigh in day” I hit a 96 pound loss (prior loss 92 pounds).  It is now not a good time of the month for me to weight myself so next official weigh in will be Friday.  I hope the scale is kind.  I am anxious to lose the excess weight so that the months between now and April are easier.  I don’t want to hurt myself so it’s a priority to lose the rest.  My eating has been EXCELLENT and I’ve been on track with my training.  I’ll arrive at my goal weight soon enough…
Thank you for sticking with me through this post.  I know it was long but I had so much to report.  Please let me know how you’re doing!!!

I’m not exactly sure of the date when I committed to losing weight.  I’m not exactly sure when it was that my friend kicked me in the proverbial BEE-hind and challenged me to change.  I realized after I started that I didn’t note the date.  So around October I decided that August 1st, 2010 would be my official anniversary.

The clock is counting down…  closing in on one year.  I’ve done a lot this year.  I have been very blessed this year.  I’ve done things I never thought I could do this past year.  I learned that I have courage and that I am strong.  I also learned how much I am loved by so many people.  It’s been an awesome year.  Thank you.  I will start with an official weigh in (sorry, it’s been a few weeks).

Weigh in July 30, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 27, 2010) – 261.0

Weight (July 2, 2010) – 256.o

Weight (July 11, 2010) – 259.2

Weight (July 16, 2010) – 256.4

Weight (July 30, 2010) – 256

Total loss for the week:  .6 pounds

Total loss for journey: 92 pounds

Here are some of the highlights (at least for me) over the past year.  These are things that I will not quickly forget.

1.  My husband downloaded facial recognition software and it found such a  different change in my photos that it didn’t recognize me.

2.  I completed my first 5K (Walk for Wishes).

3.  I completed my first back-to-back tough workout (running, biking, swimming).  This kicked my bootie.

4.  I committed to training for my first half marathon with Caleb’s Crusade.

5.  I took part in a group  triathlon and we earned our first award…  a trophy!  My daughter has since declared the trophy is hers and is a permanent part of her bedroom.

6.  I gathered up enough courage to attempt to run across the Caloosahatchee bridge, which was a @&*$#.  I didn’t run the full length, but gosh, I tried!  I know that I could do it now.

7.  I joined the Ft Myers Track Club.

8.  I ran 4 miles straight without stopping – July 21, 2010.  I didn’t blog about this unfortunately.  I should have because I’m particularly proud of this.  I remember when it felt like a miracle for me to run down the road a few mailboxes.

9.  Today I am down 92 pounds.  I wanted it to be 100 in one year.  I am still going to celebrate this.  I will lose 100.  Over the past few months I’ve found it difficult to focus, especially on my eating.  Earlier this week my  husband and I started the Weight Watchers program together and I started to use www.sparkpeople.com to track EVERYTHING that I consume.  So far… so good…  I am very hopeful.  That being said, I may have not lost 100 pounds in 1 year but I will lose it THIS YEAR.  I keep reminding myself that 13.1 miles in January 2011 will be much easier to run with less weight.

It’s a simple, quiet Sunday and there’s not much to write about.  I will ask a question though, to all the runners out there.  What do you prefer to consume when you are running?  Me?  I like Chomps (put out by the makers of gu).  My favorite flavor is Cranberry Apple.  I’m still new to running though.  Next weekend for my long run I’m going to try Clif Shot blocks (because Sports Authority didn’t have Chomps).  What do you like the best?

Anyways… here’s my weigh in (from Friday).

Weigh in July 9, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Weight (June 18, 2010) – 257.4

Weight (June 27, 2010) – 261.0

Weight (July 2, 2010) – 256.o

Weight (July 11, 2010) – 259.2

Weight (July 16, 2010) – 256.4

Total loss for the week:  2.8 pounds

Total loss for journey: 91.6 pounds

I’m bouncing a lot around 92 pounds lost.  My progress has definitely slowed and I’m a bit concerned but not so concerned that I’m stressed.  I’m not so concerned that I’m actually worried, I’m just watching myself.  I underestimated how tough it would be to stay focused once I lost half of the weight I hoped to lose.  It’s a mental battle.  I keep reminding myself that it’s like running…  one step at a time… it’s the choice to continually put one foot in front of the other.  And thank God for Caleb’s Crusade.  The group keeps me going, that’s for sure.  I was also reminded today of my first 5K when I read Skinny Emmie’s blog.  Thinking about it gave me a mental boost.  I will keep running.  Thanks Emmie.

I decided (just a moment ago) to do something that I’ve not done.  A lot of other bloggers do this so that their readers can get to know them a bit better.  Sometimes it seems a little silly but I’m not sure how much you all know about me so here goes.  10 random things about Lynne…  I hope I can pick interesting ones.

1.  I’ve worked in law enforcement since I was 17 years old.  That means I’ve worked there more than 50% of my life.

2.  Until I had my daughter I always wanted to adopt a child more than I wanted to have my own biologically.

3.  I met my husband on the internet.  That goes to show that you can get some pretty sweet deals on EBay.

4.  I used to want to be an architect.  I would still love to but don’t have the desire to go through that much schooling.

5.  When I’m able to lose all of my weight I would love to be a personal trainer…  or to do something to help motivate people that feel like they’ve given up on losing weight.

6.  Until I started running in January I never was physically active.  Even when pushed to run 1 mile in school I never did, or just barely did.

7.  I REALLY want to run a race like a Warrior Dash (Joe gave me the idea).  Some day I will do this.  That’s a promise.  How awesome is a race that advertises free beer, a warrior helmet, a bad-ass medal, a warrior shirt and live music?  A race where you run through the mud, jump over fire, and just get crazy?  Maybe it’s just a challenge to myself to be something I’ve never felt like I could be… a spontaneous, crazy risk taker?  I never thought I could run and yet I run.  I can’t wait to do this race some day.

8.  I will never ever ever ever bungie jump.  I laugh at this statement considering what I just wrote in #7.  I will never ever ever ever jump out of a perfectly good airplane (even with a parachute).  No way, no how!

9.  When I run at first I hate it.  When I finish I love it.  Running softens my heart some how and changes me.  I’m a different person when I run.  I like who I am when I run.

10.  My first car was a 1966 mustang.  I didn’t have it long but boy am I proud to say that I had a sweet ride like that.

This will be short and sweet because I’m just down right TIRED!!!  I got up this morning and ran 5.7 miles.  That’s a big time personal record for me.  I walked a very small amount of it.  I think I actually ran over 95% of the distance, which to me is amazing.  I normally don’t feel like I can run a distance like this when I’m alone.  When I’m in the group through I just don’t get all that tired.  That’s why I love my Saturday long runs with Caleb’s Crusade.  On Sunday August 1st we have a group 10K run.  I’m excited that I’ll be able to mark that off my bucket list.  I believe I have some other things to mark off that list too so I better review it soon!

Now, onto my weigh in.  I didn’t do that “great” this week but as you might recall I actually lost 5 pounds last week so I’m not surprised that the scale is up.  It’s also that TOM (sorry guys, again, I know TMI) but it does make a huge difference for me.

Weigh in July 9, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Weight (June 18, 2010) – 257.4

Weight (June 27, 2010) – 261.0

Weight (July 2, 2010) – 256.o

Weight (July 11, 2010) – 259.2

Total gain for the week: 3.2 pounds

Total loss for journey: 88.8 pounds

There's nothing better than a group of squirrel wielding light sabers.

I’ve joined another weight loss challenge in addition to the one that I’m doing with my local friends.  This one is called “Awesome in August” and is hosted by Steve, Kat, and Brooke.  I’m happy about this one because it’s only a month long and so there’s not much room to “fall off the wagon”.  I also like that it was FREE!!!!  They have some pretty neat prizes.  Initial weigh ins are due tomorrow evening (Sunday July 11th) so if you’re interested just read up on the details and sign up.

I think that’s about it.  I apologize for how short this is but I really want to catch some Z’s.

Sometimes things become way more difficult than they should be.  I can’t go into details.  Today was just a tough day on many levels.  I’m fine but I’ll just say that today things got way too complicated in my life for very silly reasons.  Nothing should be this tough.  I’ve decided to do a couple of things.

#1 – Tomorrow’s run is going to be my best run yet.  I can’t wait.  I need tomorrow’s run so bad.

#2 – I will not allow anything to derail me.

Over the past year I’ve seen a lot of tragedy happen.  Two very dear friends lost their daughter and mom back to back (within months of each other)…  friends have faced severe financial hard ships.  In spite of these tragedies these friends have faced the most difficult circumstances with courage…  they have been quite an example to me.

So…  KISS!  Keep It Simple Sillygirl!!!!

I am going to relax tonight so I have an awesome run tomorrow.  But before I do that I will post my weekly weigh in.

Weigh in June 27, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (May 14, 2010) – 259.8 (WOOT!  Broke 260!)

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Weight (June 18, 2010) – 257.4

Weight (June 27, 2010) – 261.0

Weight (July 2, 2010) – 256.o

Total loss for the week: 5 pounds (yeah that’s right, 5 pounds!)

Total loss for journey: 92 pounds

I am in self sabotage mode.  It’s so obvious based on my behaviors.  It’s also so obvious that right now I can’t give myself any excuses for not fixing it.

I am thankful for the real, honest, down to earth posts that many of you post in your blogs.  The ones I’ve been inspired the most by are Steve, Erin, and Josie, although there are many more.  Thanks to you guys because I really don’t think I would be writing this if it weren’t for you.    I am much more prone to posting when I’ve been successful…  when I’m able to be positive…  when I’ve been able to mark something off of my bucket list… or when I’ve met an awesome weight loss goal.  But I don’t want to post today…  I really don’t want to.  I have been in self sabotage mode.  I hit that 90 pound mark and just went into self sabotage mode over night.  My eating was atrocious, especially this weekend.  My activity level has been little this week too.  So here is my weigh in, whether I want to do it or not.  I was going to weigh in again in a week and then do my next blog post but I know I would just be hiding and it would be easier this week to continue in this pattern of behavior.

Weigh in June 27, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (May 4, 2010) – 262.6 pounds

Weight (May 14, 2010) – 259.8 (WOOT!  Broke 260!)

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Weight (June 18, 2010) – 257.4

Weight (June 27, 2010) – 261.0

Total gain for the week: 3.6 pounds

Total loss for journey: 87 pounds

So posting this is no good without a plan… or at least the start of a plan.  I have come up with one to help me with my activity level.  Yesterday I sent a note to my running coach with Caleb’s Crusade that I’ve had a hard time motivating myself to get out there and do everything on our training schedule.  I told her that I would start emailing her daily with what I did that day, how long it took me, etc.  This will work.  I know myself well enough to know that I will never send her an email that I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.  And I know myself well enough to know that I won’t come up with stupid excuses for her  on why I didn’t do my daily training.  Now… for the eating.  I’m not completely sure of what I’m going to do yet but I have an idea.  I need to go back to logging my food, that’s for sure.  I’m considering going back to my old logs that I kept on mydailyplate.com.  I have my meals all logged from when I first started my journey.  I think that once I get through this week’s planned meals (which ends on Thursday) I’m going to mirror my meals after the meals that I had when I first started.  They are already planned…  they are already logged and I already have all the grocery lists that I need.  I will essentially start over with my eating by copying what I did back then.  I started logging everything in January and during that time my eating behaviors were much healthier.

I feel like I’m out of control and I want the control back.  It’s all up to me now.  I’m not going down without a fight.

I’ve had a difficult time getting myself to sit down and blog today.  A big part of it could be that I’ve been gone most of the day… so that’s a legitimate reason.  But I found myself a bit ago just farting around on the computer… not even allowing myself to start.  From the first few sentences you might think that things are bad.  NO, not even a little bit.  I have two huge successes to share and I find myself with one very simple feeling:

I feel like I’m a little bit in denial.  I should be thrilled but I find myself with a bit of a feeling of apathy.  Any of you ever experience this when you did something that you didn’t know you could do???

The farthest I’ve ever run in my entire life without stopping (even as a kid) is 1 mile.  This morning when I ran I decided I wanted to go a little further.  I made it to 1 mile and didn’t feel too bad so I pushed a bit more.  I knew I was at about 1.5 miles and the half way point wasn’t too far ahead.  I pushed myself to the place where we would turn around to head back and I still didn’t feel to bad.  See where this is going??  I kept running.  I ran 3.5 miles straight… NO STOPPING.  When I was done my legs felt like jello but I was not very tired.  I felt a weird feeling emotionally…  I have had a hard time believing it.  I told a few people but I’m actually having a hell of a time accepting it.  And I wasn’t sure I wanted to share it.  It almost feels like it doesn’t belong to me… like maybe some how somebody else did it.  Does that make sense?

I’m still not totally feeling it but I’m going to force this out anyways…   I RAN 3.5 MILES STRAIGHT WITHOUT STOPPING!!!!!!!  THAT’S OVER 3 TIMES THE BEST DISTANCE I’VE DONE WITHOUT STOPPING!!!!!!!

Sigh…  wow…  I hope it sinks in because a big part of me really wants to accept it!  And wow, I deserve to feel good.

Another very cool thing.  I’ve been fluctuating between an 85-88 pound loss for about 2 months.  Well…

Weigh in June 18, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (April 27, 2010) - 264.8 pounds

Weight (May 4, 2010) – 262.6 pounds

Weight (May 14, 2010) – 259.8 (WOOT!  Broke 260!)

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Weight (June 18, 2010) – 257.4

Total loss for journey: 90.6 pounds  (OMG ONLY 10 MORE TO 100 POUNDS!!!!!!)

I busted through the wall and have now lost a bit over 90 pounds.

Wow…  kind of unreal.  I hope to lose 10 more pounds by August 1st.  If I’m able to do that then I will have essentially lost 100 pounds in 1 year.  If I don’t lose that by August 1st I’ll be just fine… it would just be cool.

So that’s it.

On my next morning run I plan to re-start C25K.  I finished up through week #5 and then stopped.  I think I’m going to do it a little different though.  I know others that have done this.  I’m going to try to do a nice slow jog.  During the scheduled “running” sections I’m going to just pick up the pace.  Have any of you done this?  I’m curious to know if you did and if so, how it was?

So here is where I am today.  Official weigh in time (drum roll)….

Weigh in June 12, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (April 27, 2010) - 264.8 pounds

Weight (May 4, 2010) – 262.6 pounds

Weight (May 14, 2010) – 259.8 (WOOT!  Broke 260!)

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Weight (June 12, 2010) 259.0

Total loss since last weigh in: -2.2 pounds (YES!!!!!!)

Total loss for journey: 89.0 pounds

I had a rough month in May.  I lost focus at one point and was just all over the place in many areas of life.  The exercise was in place but the eating was only sporadically on target.  The scale reflected the choices that I made and I had a lot of work to do to get back to where I was.  I’m pleased because I am now back down to the lowest weight I’ve been since… well…  I don’t even know when.  Last week I had to get rid of a skirt that fit me right after I graduated college in 1996, so it’s been at least 14 years since I’ve been this small.  It’s an awesome feeling.  I am now 11 pounds away from losing 100 pounds.  I don’t anticipate losing that by July 1st but wow, would that be nice to have lost 100 pounds in a year.  I actually started my journey in August so the goal is doable.  I didn’t weigh myself when I started though, which is why I revert back to what I know I weighed in July.  Considering that I’m at the worst time of the month for myself for water weight  maybe losing 9 pounds by July is possible?  We shall see.  No matter what I’m focused and ready to lose.

Running the Disney Half Marathon in January will be so much easier if I’m smaller.  The more I lose between now and January the easier it should be.

Now for a big announcement.  Another drum roll please….

Who are these amazing ladies????  Wait…  didn’t they do something amazing today???  Hmmmm…  what was it???  Oh yeah, they became two of the Ft Myers Track Clubs newest members this morning!!!!!

I AM A MEMBER OF A TRACK CLUB!!!!!!!!  I wish I had put that on my bucket list.  That would be a good one to knock off.  Well…  today Josie and I (and Josie’s daughter… can’t forget her) ran the Ft Myers Track Club Membership 5K.  It was a cool experience but the race was really rough.  I’ve never run off road and I wasn’t expecting to.  well…  90% of the race was through fields (mostly open in the blazing sun).  It was hard.  My finishing time was 45:05 so I didn’t do as well as I did in the Eagle Valor 5K but I give myself kudos.  #1 it was BRUTALLY HOT.  It was so hot that at one point I got a bit light headed.  #2 I was having a hard time physically.  I won’t go into any details… things are fine, I just wasn’t in the best physical state to run today.  In spite of that I did run.  I didn’t run as much as I normally do but I did what I could.  #3 the course was confusing.  A couple of times I stopped to check things out to make sure I was going the right way.  There were a lot of twists and turns and we crossed back over the path a few times.  Either way, I survived and I have an official membership card and Track Club singlet to prove my membership.  Here is a pic of me crossing the finish line:

Finished!

Whew!  I’m done.  As rough as I look it is not even close to how I felt.  I was completely wiped.

So…  I think that’s about it for now.  I’m going to go now and relax.  My baby girl is away for the weekend and I have lofty plans of DOING NOTHING!!!!!  Literally, NOTHING!!!!  I better get on to doing that before I start to feel productive, LOL!

I’m looking outside and it’s getting cloudy…  bummer if it rains!  I was expecting to take my baby girl swimming.  :(  At least it’s still early and hopefully it will clear up in time for us to go.  If not that’s OK too…  it’s been so dry and humid outside with very little rain.  There have been a few clouds and even a bit of thunder but other than that NOTHING.

Kind of like me lately…  I’ve had a rough go of it lately foodwise.  Exercise has been good.  I have to keep running, you know?  So getting the activity in is a no brainer for me.  But food.  Well…  it’s not like I can break up with it even when the relationship is bad, you know?  It really started last weekend when I had family in town.  There was food everywhere and temptation was so high it’s not even funny.  Let’s just say that by the end of the weekend the scale was WAY UP…  so much so that it put me into a funk for a few days.  I’ve been working very hard since then to bring it back down to what even felt like a “manageable” weight…  I’m not sure if that’s the right word.  But I wanted so much to get it back down to something that didn’t make me feel hopeless.  I’m now back in a range that I’m a little happier with.  I feel like I am centered again and can now move forward.  So…  let’s get on with the numbers.  It’s been awhile since my last weigh in (a few weeks or so)  but here we go…

Weigh in June 5, 2010

Starting weight (July 2009) – 348 pounds

Weight (April 27, 2010) - 264.8 pounds

Weight (May 4, 2010) – 262.6 pounds

Weight (May 14, 2010) – 259.8 (WOOT!  Broke 260!)

Weight (May 21, 2010) – 259.6

Weigh (June 5, 2010) – 261.2 (Bummer… back over 260)

Total gain since last weigh in: 1.6 pounds

Total loss for journey: 86.8 pounds

I’m disappointed but nowhere near as disappointed as I was after my family left on Monday.  The day that he left I was up 8 pounds.  I didn’t starve myself this week to get back down but I just did my best to focus and I literally gave myself a “do over”.  It is my hope that by next week I’ll be back down below 260.  And even if I’m not I refer to what many bloggers have said, “THE SCALE DOES NOT DEFINE ME”.

And now I think it’s about time for a Caleb’s Crusade update.  The training is challenging but has been completely manageable for me.  This morning I ran with the group and three of us completed 4.71 miles.  It was nice because we really pushed each other (OK…  in reality one ran behind us yelling at us to keep moving our butts but that’s good too and a big part of me loved that).  And Melissa, if you’re reading this please know that I wouldn’t have pushed myself so hard if you weren’t there.  You really inspired me this morning and thank you so much!!!  ((HUGS))

Community amongst runners is awesome.  Runners in general are very positive, motivating people.  The Caleb’s Crusade runners are the elite of positive and motivating.  WOW…  what a good group.  I also had my first experience with “gu“.  WHOA…..  NASTY!!!!  BUT….  before I go much further I have to say that my energy didn’t tank on the second half of my run.  It really seemed to make a difference.  I was consistently tired through the whole run, LOL!!!!  No really…. I’m always pretty tired but at the end of the run I felt the same as I did in the beginning.  I don’t think my pace suffered in the end.  I think that’s worth the moment of “yuck” that I had when I ate it.

My fundraising for Caleb’s Crusade is going well too.  At the moment I’ve raised a little over $700 of my $1500 goal.  The money I’ve raised has all come through friends and family support.  Knowing that they have given money to The Crusade keeps me running.  I will never stop while I am able to run.  I run because I can, I run because they can’t!!!!!  If you want to contribute to this just check out the widget at the right of my blog.  It will take you to where you need to go.  If you want to read more about Caleb and Caleb’s Crusade go to www.CalebsCrusade.com.

SUBJECT SHIFT….  HOLD ON….  this weekend marks the end of Mission: Slimpossible.  I lost 9.2 pounds over the past 7 weeks, which is 3.4% of my body weight.  Weigh ins will start again in about 15 minutes and I have 1 scheduled for tomorrow and then it will be done.  I’m very proud of those that have weighed in so far.  I’m not sure at this point if we will be doing a second round of the challenge.  I haven’t really gotten feedback from too many people so I’m thinking…  we shall see…

Well…. it’s time for me to scoot and go be a mom…  Later!