In Stereo

Today I struggled with where to run. Should I drive up to the zoo and run on the trail? Do I stay in the neighborhood and risk people seeing my FAF (Fat Ass Frame) as they're driving on Scholls Ferry Road? I decided driving up to the zoo was a waste of time, so I ran my neighborhood loop instead of my usual route that takes me across Scholls Ferry--the life line of SW Portland.

I also decided to run with music. This is a BIG deal. Because I NEVER run with music. My first and only running Coach taught me that running with headphones on could be dangerous--you can't hear cars coming up behind you, German Shepherds trying to kill you, etc. I agreed because I wanted to be a purist. I didn't want a crutch to help me run better.

That went out the window today, and I loved it! Holy cow. I didn't have to hear my labored breath as my FAF went up a hill, I could burp to my heart's content (even though I do enjoy hearing how loud I can get sometimes).

What's funny about the music today was that I used my iPod Mini circa 2002/2003. I used this little guy while I was training for the Portland Marathon that I dropped out off. (Loser! Loser!) It had some good songs on it! Granted I had to fast forward through Morning has Broken by Cat Stevens, some lullaby by Enya and Drums (gag) by the Dead.

But I also got to hear Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac, Reckless Life by Guns 'N Roses (totally!), Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone, and Last Dance by Donna Summer. Good times.

Your tangent for today: yesterday I went to Costco. I bought a digital scale. I've been on it 1,432 times already. I don't believe the number. Also, I put a hot/cold laminator in my cart because I REALLY WANT ONE. I want to laminate things. I want to laminate the boys' art work, I want to laminate recipes, I'm dying for this thing. But, I knew Michael would make fun of me and I'd probably use it once. So I put it back. So sad.

That's it for today. Run on peeps!

Official Weigh In Results

The official results are in. After dreaming all night that I was weighing in with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on a faulty scale, I'm happy to report that all three participants of the Great Weight Challenge of 2011 lost weight!

The results:

Michael: Down 5.4 pounds for an overall loss of 12.8 pounds!

Amy: Down 0.8 pounds for an overall loss of 2.2 pounds!

Sarah: Down 2.8 pounds for an overall loss of 8.4 pounds!

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet.

Now, it's just time to run.

Dr. Feelgood

I wish this post was about drugs, but alas.

The sprain was a bit worse than I thought. The day after the sprain I noticed a lot of tenderness, so I went to my doctor for a quickie wrap. He advised using an aircast and doing the prerequisite RICE-ing, which I'm fine with, except for the "R" part. Especially since I had just had an awesome run and was feeling back to my runnery self (gross).

Here's a bad iPhone pic, but you can see the lovely bruising setting in:

(tangent: what's the deal with new Droid users who are all up in your face about how the Droid is the best phone on the planet, and any one who uses an iPhone is a big fucking idiot, and yadda yadda yadda. Newsflash: 1) We're talking about phones, and 2) I can't even make a call on my iPhone anyway, so what's the diff?! Gahwd)


So even though I didn't believe my doctor when he said I should rest it for a minimum of a week, it's now been a week. And I haven't run. I've starved myself, but no running. I'd rather starve myself and at least have an endorphin rush, ya know?

Anyhoo, going to try and go out on Saturday at the earliest.

Yours in not running greatness...

Sloppy Seconds

So last night I decided I would drop the boys off this morning and go directly to the trail to run, no matter what the weather was. Driving to school, it didn't seem too rainy, just a light drizzle. By the time I got to the trail, it was really raining. But, by my calculations, I would be under trees, a perfect canopy and stay pretty dry.

Nice. In reality, the trees, when combined with wind, create MORE rain and a very sloppy trail. I decided not to try and save my fancy pants pink running shoes, but instead hit every puddle. A few times the puddles tried to suck off my shoes, but I plowed on.

As compared to my previous two train runs, this one was awesome. I felt like the ol' me (plus 40 pounds...that's right! I lost almost five pounds last week. Michael? Nine!). For those of you who know that zoo route, my first goal was to not stop running until I made the bench. Done.

On the back stretch, I marveled at how I hadn't run into any other people (tangent: ever notice when you're on the trail and a runner is coming towards you, they always say a greeting that's like three syllables? Like "good morning!"? The last time I ran, I passed four people. Every one said good morning. I was sucking wind SO HARD I could only say "hi." It was more like "huh." Anyhoo...)

So there I am, feeling like the old Runner World and all of a sudden! Twist my ankle and let out a scream. Because it hurt. But, not as bad as the sprain during my rookie year of running. I managed to swirl it around and finish the run. It hurt more when I got home, but a little ice and elevation, and it'll be fine in a couple of days.

I really had a good run. Woo hoo!

Shoes would probably disagree.

This One Goes Out To the Elf

OK, OK. Enough hiding.

I'm fat. 45 pounds overweight (I AM NOT LYING).

Here's how you'll know I'm not lying.

Ever felt your stomach hit the top of your thighs when you sit down? I now can say I have.

Or, can you actually pick up your stomach with both hands and wave goodbye to your sons? I can.

It hurts now, but while I was living large with my chocolate chips, asagio cheese, Pizza Fridays, vodka lemonades, vodka cranberry lemonades, vodka tonics with lime, vodka 7-ups it felt soooooooooooooooooooooo good.

But enough is enough. Not even going to call it a comeback. Just calling it an attempt. I'm working in partnership with my friend Amy, who just had an adorable baby, weighs 130 lbs and wants to lose 10lbs. Yes, total bitch, right? But she's totally motivated and will keep me on track.

So far this week:

1. The boys have started Montessori school and hated it. I cried two days after dropping them off.
2. Ate under 1400 calories every day.
3. Ran three times (once for 23 minutes, once for 13 minutes, and once for 31 minutes). Strike that. More like shuffled, walked, panted, stopped, cursed chocolate chips, and then continued.
   
4. Contemplated putting the Goose down (she's not well).
5. Marveled at how much gas two dogs can produce.
6. Watched a ton of raw food videos after stumbling on runningraw.com. Seriously, check this guy out. He's awesome. I'd totally be his friend.
   
7. Ate one green smoothie.
   

Not bad, right?

So, the goal is to not drink for 40 days (Michael's homage to the Lenten season ), and train for the Race for the Roses 1/2 marathon in April. We'll see.

Starting weight as of last Sunday.....wait for it....157 pounds. You're probably thinking, wait! Sarah! But you're only five feet tall. And to that I say fucking right.