Knotts 10k Coaster Run

So yesterday I ran my first 10k race. It was an awesome race but I was very nervous this time around.

I didn't feel prepared since I didn't run as much as I wanted to before hand, but the day was here and I had to get ready.

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and changed to the running clothes I set out the night before. I had driven down the mountain the night before and stayed with my family. My families house is only 30 minutes away from the Knotts Berry Farm theme park where the race would be held.

By 5 a.m. I had stretched and I went outside for a short run to get my body warmed up and my body functions moving. By 5:30 a.m. I was making myself a small bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter mixed in for breakfast. I ate half the bowl. I couldn't eat anymore and didn't want to feel full before the race.

My parents had decided they were going to go with me to the race and my little sister as well. Unfortunately teenagers can't be rushed and by the time we left the house it was 6:30 a.m. The race started at 7:30 a.m. and I still needed to pick up my registration material and warm up.

When we got to the area the place was packed and there were huge lines of cars leading to the parking lot where the event was taking place. We drove around and parked across the street. I rushed ahead to pick up my bib, chip and shirt and by then it was 7:15. I needed to use the restroom and the restroom lines were atrocious!

By the time I made it to a port-a-john it was 7:30 and I had to rush to the starting line. Good thing the race started late with all the people trickling in. But by 7:45 the first wave of runners had started and the mob of 5k/10k run-walkers kept moving up the starting line.

Because I had decided to use my iphone as an mp3 player for this race, and the phone also works as my camera, I didn't get much of a chance (or time) to take pictures of the start of the race. It's a shame because it was beautiful seeing all the roller coasters and rides in the distance knowing I was going to have them as my background as I ran around and near the park. The closer I got to the starting line the more and more nervous I  was becoming. At some point I was close to tears and wasn't very happy being the only person that I knew running the race. But then it was my turn to start running. And start I did.

Like usual there were plenty of people passing me but I was making my way up as well. Once I started moving my worries went away. I started enjoying all the people cheering their friends. I started having fun looking at the different types of people running. Big, small, tall, short, old, young. There were mothers and little kids. There were couples and family teams with matching shirts. It was one of the biggest races I'd been a part of and I was enjoying it.

The weather itself was marvelous. Rain clouds passed by and allowed good sunlight to show up. A light breeze helped cool me as I continued to get warmer. I made a point to slow down and actually drink water at water stations since I didn't want to get too dehydrated.

I made a point this time to keep track of a certain runner ahead of me and try to pass them. I had three people throughout the race. The first one I lost after the first water station, the second one passed me for the finish line when the cut off for the 5k and the continuation of the 10k happened and for the final miles I had my last person. This woman was a run/walker every time she stopped and walked I made an effort to catch up with her. When I was in the final mile and realized I was almost at the finish line I finally passed her and sprinted for the finish.

I didn't realize I was so close to the finish line or else I would have started running faster sooner.

Either way I had a lot of fun and my former nervousness was gone.

Instantly after crossing the finish line I ran for a restroom but after that I was able to finally get my finishers medal and my slice of pie that goes with the race. LOL

I actually wasn't interested in the pie at all or any food for that matter. But I grabbed my slice and tried it. It was very good.

What I was really looking for was my timing. Because I was in the last wave of people going through the start line I knew the timer I saw as I crossed the finish line wasn't correct so sooner or later I found the giant flat screen TV's that were projecting the times.



It took forever for the screens to finish showing the 5k runners and I missed my time twice before the screen blanked out and showed the next division. Eventually I was able to get a picture of the screen with my name on it. I have no idea what my placing was but I got my time.

I finished in 1hr 18min 37 seconds

Seeing as I was taking it easy, I had to pee, and I kept slowing down at every water station, I think I did ok. LOL

After the race my family and I decided it was time for food. Right across the street was an IHOP (International House of Pancakes). It's my family's favorite restaurant so we went there.



 I ended up getting a cheese and ham omelet and some buttermilk pancakes on the side. I scarfed down the omelet and ate 2/3 of my pancakes before my stomach decided to act up. I guess I ate too much too fast.

Despite the slight stomach upset the day turned out great and I was happy that I was able to finish the race.









It proved to me that I can do a bigger race. It proved to me that I have what it takes to do something bigger than what I previously thought I could. If you would have told me years ago that I would be running in a 10k race I would have laughed and told you you were insane.  But here I am. And guess what, I'm already planning the next 10k race I want to run by the end of next month.

I can do it. So can you!

love
-w0rld

Non-Weigh In

Yesterday was a good day because I ran my first 10k race. It's amazing what something like that makes you feel the next day. Usually the day of all you want to do after is celebrate then take a nap. LOL. I didn't get to nap yesterday and felt the grogginess but today after a good sleep I feel.... lighter for one. I feel...happy. I feel... refreshed. I think this is the reason why I continue to do this. It's something I forget every once in a while. LOL.

I will write a full race report soon but for now, it's Monday. Let's get to it!

Measurements:

Hips: 48.15 inches (-0.35 inches)
Waist: 44 inches (-1.25 inches)
Arm: 14.75 inches (-0.25 inches)
Thigh: 26.5 inches (same)
Calf: 16.75 inches (same)

I'm happy to see that my bloated middle is no longer so bloated. This little bit of progress and the light post-race euphoria  I have right now is exactly what I needed to motivate me to keep going. It really is hard when you're stuck in a plateau or stuck in one mind set for too long. It also reminds me how important it is to have a support system to keep you moving when you're down in the dumps too. So thank you everyone who has supported me and given me nice comments either here or in facebook. LOL.

Achievement(s):

Water: I was able to finish my 64 oz water bottle about 5/7 times this week. On Friday and Sunday I didn't get to finish my water bottle. But the rest of the week I was drinking water so well I had to do the whole "Gotta pee!" dance every five minutes.

Calories: I didn't count this week but I should have because without meaning to I went out to eat about 4 times this week. 4! I ate a burrito on Monday, a huge burger and fries on Thursday, a tuna melt and more fries on Saturday and of course a pancake and omelet breakfast after the race on Sunday.

A lot of fries, a lot of cheese! It makes sense now why I had minor stomach trouble last night. I've been eating cheese sparingly for the last few months and now this. It was a little too much for my body to handle I think.

Strength Training: Very light training twice last week. My pilates kit finally came in with
2 soft weight balls
1 65 cm exercise ball (fun!)
2 resistance bands (light and medium resistance)
and 1 exercise cd.

I'm hoping to try it out this week. It should be fun.

Cardio: Not bad this week. I got some good stuff down.

Mon: -
Tues: 2 miles in 26 minutes
Wed: 2 miles in 26 minutes
Thurs: - (Belly dancing class got cancelled)
Fri: 3.8 miles in 50 minutes
Sat: 6 mile hike up a mountain
Sun: 10k race!

So my last bit of training and a good hike before the race yesterday. Not too shabby I think.

Goals:
My goals for this week are to try training for speed when I run. I'm looking up different ways to try and improve my speed. I'm tired of having slow results when I've been running the same distance for so long. I'm hoping that now that the weather is getting a little warmer I'll have more of a chance and more motivattion to get out there and do sprints. Let's see. Also I'm going to start counting calories again every other day. I don't want to do it every day because it gets boring and then I stop doing it. If I keep it to every other day and try my best to keep my calorie count down I think I'll be ok.

That's all for now. Let's have a great week!

love
-w0rld

I'm tired of hearing "Next time."

I'm upset. Today was the final straw in a building state of anger I've been holding for a long time now. Today I had plans to meet up with someone. I sent them a message in the morning. Didn't hear anything from them all day. When I finally did hear from them they messaged me pretty much saying "Sorry Elina, next time."  I pretty much snapped.

The problem with this is that I have heard the same thing over and over and over again by so many different people over the last few YEARS that I finally couldn't let it go this time. Moving around all the time has it's pros and cons. One of the pros is that I end up living in really interesting places and I'm always thinking of friends and family I wish I could share the experiences with. I invite people to visit. I invite people to join me for some activity. I invite.

People usually start out being really interested. They encourage me by talking about times and dates and things we could do. Then sooner or later I get the call, the text, the facebook message, "Sorry Elina, can't do it. Next time."

I've gotten so used to the response that I've come to expect it. I've gotten used to the feeling of disappointment.  Until I realize every once in a while that this feeling SHOULDN'T be so familiar. I get upset. I get mad.

The problem with that is the second I get upset I run to the mirror. I find everything I can about myself to criticize and blame those things on why people cancel on me.

"You're so fat and ugly, who would want to hang out with YOU anyway?"
"You're so pathetic and weak. You can't even stop yourself from eating. Why would anyone want to hang out with you?"
"You have such a horrible personality; pushy and loud. If you push you'll just make it worse!"

So I make excuses. I tell people it's ok. Too bad. "Next time." And although I sound ok with it inside I'm beating myself up and getting upset.

Why do I say it's ok when it's not?

 Because I convince myself there's no point in getting mad. That I'm sure that  concert, that other person, that event, that club meeting, that bed is more important. Although I don't fail to notice that another person, event, or sleep is more important to them than meeting me. That doesn't escape my attention either.

----> Now most of the time I understand why people can't make it. It usually has to do with lack of funds, schedule conflicts and car trouble. These are understandable. But still.

Why don't I tell people how I feel? 

I should. I'm learning that now. But at the same time I would never want to guilt trip someone in to visiting me. I don't want to force anyone to see me. I've done it before and it never worked out. I want them to come because THEY want to. I want them to give me some of their time and show me that I matter as much as a concert. That I'm worth the effort of getting in to a car and driving a few miles even though they're tired.

Is that too much to ask?

Usually when I get this emotional I head straight for the fridge. I forced myself to stay in my room tonight. I told myself that the fridge had NOTHING to do with why I'm upset. And it doesn't.

I just have to keep going. Talk to old friends. Maybe dump the ones that don't have the time for my friendship and find new ones that do. I know that not everyone is treated this way. I've seen it with my own eyes.

*Sigh* I apologize for the rant but sometimes you have to let it out.

I ran almost 4 miles tonight after I got the latest "Next time." They were the smoothest 4 miles I've done.

Have a goodnight!

-w0rld

Non-Weigh In

It's been a long week, last week. Let's start!

Measurements: 

Hips: 48.5 (+0.25) inches
Waist: 45.25 (+0.5) inches
Arm: 15 (+0.5) inches
Thigh: 26.5 (same) inches
Calf: 16.75 (+0.25) inches

So an add week. I hardly got to work out and didn't get to run much at all. To top it off I went home and we crossed the border and pretty much had an eating fest. So I'm not surprised at the gain though I'm a little upset over it. "Can't I get a break just once!" But no. No I can't. It doesn't work that way.

Achievement(s):

Water:
 I'm still using my 64 oz water bottle and it's working well for me. I'm absolutely sure this time that I drank more than 64 oz 5/7 days a week.

Calories: 
I did not count last week AT ALL. I don't know if this is the greatest idea, looking at my measurement results so I think I'll start counting again. I also forgot all about staying away from processed foods this weekend and even today I ate things that weren't anywhere near the YES list of food in Paleo.


Strength Training: 
Twice last week! That's better than many weeks before but it was mainly core work outs. Gotta keep going.

Cardio:
 I didn't get to run much at all last week and it kills me since my race is so soon.

Monday: - (recovering from Saturdays injury)
Tuesday: 2 mile run
Wednesday: 30 minute hike
Thursday: Belly dancing class
Friday: light dancing
Saturday:-
Sunday:-

So pretty much I lost steam by the weekend and didn't pick it up again. It snowed this weekend so I didn't get much of a chance to run this morning since most places weren't plowed. I'm definitely feeling the laziness right now although the snow is slowly melting. But hey an hour of shoveling snow must work for something right?

Goals:

I need to start counting again and work on eating less processed food. I didn't start out very well today so I have to get better. I also need to run at least six miles this week. That can mean running three miles one day and running 3 miles another day. Or running 2 miles three times a week. Something before the race this Sunday.

Wish me luck and good luck to you!

love
-w0rld

One Week Left before my first 10k

I realized this morning that my 10k race will be in one week. I'm-freaking-out. Mainly because I have not been training as well as I should. I only got to run ONCE this week and it was a simple 2 mile loop just to make sure my leg was ok after last weekends 6.5 mile run/ foot injury.

My foot felt 90% better the next day and felt a little tender but otherwise good by Monday. So I ran on Tuesday and it went fine.

However I didn't get to run again at all this week. I got to do small hikes during work sure, and I got to try out a belly dancing class on Thursday so at least I haven't been completely idle this week but still.

I'm going to just have to do my best next Sunday. I'm going to try my best to get multiple runs in next week before the race but I don't think I'll be running 6 miles straight again until race day. (It's not really recommended to over-exert yourself right before a race anyway.)

I suppose that's not a bad plan. Plus this race is mainly to get me moving. Get me motivated. I'm thinking that I'll try this race, see how it goes, and then sign up for a new 10k later next month to get better.

Maybe by May I can sign up for a half marathon and try that out.

So I suppose in the end I'm just going to wing it. Honestly that's EXACTLY how I do everything. 


"Hmmm, I don't really know much about this job. Let's wing it!"
or
"I didn't really study for this test... Aw well let's wing it!"

Yeah. That's me all over.

Every once in a while I get small pointers from my co-workers and believe it or not they've helped. I suppose I should thank them... and ask for more tips!

Wish me luck next week!

Nervously enthusiastic

-w0rld

A Chat about PCOS

I mentioned not too long ago that I never really address PCOS in my posts although it was one of the main reasons I started this journey. I thought it was about time I talked about it, how it's affected my life and how things have changed since I started trying to lose weight.

First of all let's start with what is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and according to some studies it affects 5-10% of American women.

The Paleo Diet book actually gives a really nice description:

"Women with PCOS ovulate irregularly or not at all, and their ovaries produce high levels of male hormones such as testosterone. Women with PCOS are prone to obesity, excessive body hair, acne, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. They also have seven times greater risk of heart disease and heart attack than other women do... "

Growing up if I had a period twice a year that was a lot. I started growing facial hair soon after middle school/early high school. I soon after started getting this advanced (and incredibly painful) case of acne, which is it's own diagnosis. I am a pre-diabetic and of course my weight had been rising steadily for years.

So after years of random answers to all these questions, when I was diagnosed with PCOS everything finally made sense.... and scared me.

I learned the real name for my skin problem and PCOS together and BOTH symptoms pretty much said that one of the main causes for it was my weight. Pretty much if I were able to lose weight my symptoms would lessen or go away completely.

I learned about my conditions in October 2009. I started this blog December 2009. It took me two months to finally get the guts and strength to really start. I'm still working on it now.

Once I started really losing weight I noticed changes almost instantly. The first thing I noticed was that my periods started coming back. Believe me that when this happened it was a bitter-sweet feeling. Partly I knew it was a good thing knowing my body was regulating itself the way it should. I was UN-happy because it felt like I was learning how to deal with a period all over again. I simply wasn't used to dealing with pads, tampons, bloating and cramps on a monthly basis. Bleh~ LOL

As for the excessive body hair I was already hairy. I'm a hairy person. I have accepted that about myself. The only things that really killed me were that now I was growing hair in places a girl shouldn't. Places like; face, back, chest and worst of all I was losing the hair on top of my head! It's horrible seeing hair grow where it shouldn't and seeing my hair thin out like a man going through male pattern baldness.  Sadly not much has changed in that department except that my hair seems to have slowed down, both the top of my head isn't losing as much hair at such accelerated rates and my body hair is ..well just there. No thicker or thinner than before. I've learned to deal with it.

Acne. This is the biggest difference. I have a case of acne that has a name so long I could never remember it.  It pretty much has to do with the fact that I don't sweat well and that areas that are moist all the time like arm pits or rubbing inner thighs are prone to infection. It's incredibly gross and worst of all PAINFUL because the bacteria grows under your skin until it breaks open and oozes out. I have scars of the many years I've been dealing with that shit. Now that I've lost a considerable amount of weight my acne has stopped. Every once in a while I get some pimples. But that's just it. Just pimples. The same size as a zit in your face. That's absolutely nothing! You have no idea how HAPPY I've been with this improvement. If nothing else remembering the pain I was in with my acne, and how it limited my movements even, remembering that has helped motivate me to never go back to the weight I was before.

As for diabetes. My mother is a diabetic and the last time I checked I was pre-diabetic. Now my doctors have told me that being "pre-diabetic" is not a diagnosis it just means I'm at a VERY HIGH risk of getting diabetes. My sugar levels were dangerously high but not too high to be full diabetes. When I eat something too sweet I get major headaches. I also, rarely, feel shaky when I don't eat. Once I started losing weight my sugar levels have been pretty normal but I'm still at high risk. I have to remember that when my sweet tooth turns on and I over-indulge in sugary treats.

Since I started I've been getting yearly physicals to make sure things are ok and adjust if anything seems wonky.

As for heart disease. It's nothing new. Heart disease runs in both sides of my family. Both of my grandfathers died of heart attacks. I know that chances are heart failure would likely be a high probability of my demise. I still haven't felt many symptoms of heart problems and as far as I can tell I haven't had high blood pressure problems. I'm not going to wait for that to show up before trying to prevent it though. I've learned my lesson in letting things slide.

PCOS isn't too uncommon. But it can be dealt with. I'm proof that losing weight, although it's hard, greatly improves things.

I am still taking medication for my hormone imbalance and antibiotics for my skin. I'm waiting for the day when I can chuck the pills and instead would only reach for a pill bottle in the rare occasions when my crazy physical activities lead me to the advil. That's it.

Has anyone else experienced PCOS symptoms? If you think you may have PCOS I suggest you talk to your doctors and mention it. You never know. It might change your life.

It did mine.

love
-w0rld

Non-Weigh In

Happy Monday! This weeks non-weigh in will be brief partly because I didn't calorie count and partly because it's my lunch break! LOL

So let's start!

Measurements:

Hips: 48.5 inches (-0.25 inches)

Waist: 44.75 inches (-0.5 inches)

Arm: 14.5 inches (+0.25 inches)

Thigh: 26.5 inches (+0.25 inches)

Calf: 16.5 inches (same)

So I'm happy to see that I lost a few fraction inches from my mid line but I'm wondering about the gain in arms and thighs. I don't know if that's fat or muscle. I wonder. Either way it's good progress. I just have to keep it up. I realized also that I did not post last weeks measurements during my March Weigh In but I did measure and I'm subtracting (or adding) from last week.

Achievement(s):

Water: 

I finally got off my lazy ass and brought out my 64 oz water bottle. It forced me to drink the amount of water I needed and there was less of a chance to "guesstimate" or pretend I did or didn't drink enough water. So this week I had 5/7 days with enough water in take if not more. I'm noticing also that I can really feel when I'm dehydrated so I make a point to drink more.

Calories: 

Learning about Paleo!

I did not count last week. Nor did I count the week before. I'm starting to really focus on reading my Paleo Diet book and have been very conscious of what I eat. I went to the grocery store on Friday and re-stocked on fruit, veggies, lean meat and olive oil. I'm so glad that spring is coming because I can finally start eating the fresh meals I love so much; fruit salads and spinach salads.

Strength Training: 

About twice last week I made sure to stretch and do some ab work. I really have to return to doing more arm work because I'm very lazy when it comes to my T-rex weak arms. 

Cardio: 

I actually wrote down my cardio this week. I thought I'd done nothing but when I put it all together I actually did quite a bit last week.

Monday: 1 mile run

Tuesday:-

Wednesday: 4.6 mile jog

Thursday: -

Friday: 4 mile hike

Saturday: 6.5 mile jog (and messed up my left arch)

Sunday: rest

So although I didn't do cardio every day I did finally get some good miles in. 10k here I come!

Goals: My goals this week are to work on my diet and try out more Paleo friendly dishes. I also need to spread out my running and I'm planning on trying out a belly dancing class on Thursday. Hopefully it'll happen and I can talk about it after. 

Have a great week everyone! Spring is coming!

love

-w0rld